Family Dynamics How hierarchy is established in young dogs A group of young dogs need to have some form of order. If they don’t they run the risk of putting themselves in danger. This may seem strange but, even born into and living in, a domestic environment, their instinct will to a certain extend influence their behaviour, especially in working breeds. A puppy ‘chooses’ someone, and maybe it does, but when that puppy is removed another one will step up and take its place as the ‘one that steps forward’. That puppy may then ‘choose’ the next person who comes along. There’s always a strong one, one waiting to step up, one at the back watching and weighing everyone up, and the ones on the middle waiting to see where they can fit in. If they were living life as a pack each one would have a position according to their skills, there would be no arguing, for although in a different skill set, they all play an important part in the unit. If we take this into the working life of...