So often when the family get together and the 'fun' begins, with rough and tumble being the natural progression, it is almost inevitable that the game will get a little too physical for the younger members of the clan and tears flow, which completely stops the game immediately.

 

The same can happen in all family groups, whether ours or that of other species. I recall seeing a troop of Chimpanzees that became over enthusiastic with their playing and when one youngest screamed, as a much larger chimp landed on it, the leader raced in to retrieve the injured one and the accidental offender ran for cover and remained very quiet for a long time.

 

Just as when an alpha male wolf accidentally collided with a younger member of the pack. When the juvenile cried in pain the alpha returned to its side, licked its face and settled down beside the bruised one.

 

Firstly we have to see that such confrontations are never planned and the larger the group the quicker it seems to happen. When it is between our dogs we actually become distressed, as no one wants to see those that they love falling out, but it's natural.

 

When people live with two or more dogs then the likelihood is that these dogs will have little disagreements but if these dogs are also challenging one another for the leadership role, as the owner has not taken that responsibility from them, these disagreements could easily escalate in something much worse.

 

In this area 'Amichien� Bonding' comes to the rescue again, by removing leadership issues from their lives so they can remain stress free and happy. If the play does get a little rough the leader (you) can calmly step in and quickly bring peace to the family again.

 

Jan Fennell 

2nd February 2012