Dogs

Do Dogs Experience Peer Pressure?

Find us on Facebook

Midas

This Dog Park Buddy Shows
No Signs of Peer Pressure

Today's visit to the dog park brought up a question in my mind. I've never heard this discussed by Cesar Millan or any other dog expert, so I'm tossing YOU a bone. What do you think about this: Do dogs experience peer pressure?

When Tanner peed with his leg up today, right in front of a large group of dogs, I had to wonder out loud if this had something to do with the pack mentality and peer pressure. You see, Tanner was "raised" by an older, female Retriever mix. Xena, my almost 13 year old girl taught Tanner by example, to pee by squatting.

Tanner has always squatted like a girl. Now, after 2 years of dog parking, he has begun to occasionally show off his manhood by using the boy's method, i.e. one leg up.

I find this fascinating and have to assume the he does this at the dog park because the gang is "watching." After all, he doesn't do it that way at home. NEVER!

This curious development begs a question. Should I discourage Tanner from lifting his leg? It appears to be a male habit among most dogs. Tanner has not learned the art of "marking", so I'm thinking he just wants to behave like one of the guys, when the guys are around. Any thoughts?

So, here's your chance to test out my comment link at the bottom of the post. I'd love to hear from you. Perhaps I should make this a poll. Hmmm....good idea. Check the sidebar.

Finally, Join me Friday for our first post from our new ASK THE VET columnist, Dr. Jacki. If you have questions for Dr. Jacki, we would love to hear from you. Send your questions to [email protected]/ .

Follow All Things Dog at Twitter

Find me at Facebook

- Do Your Dogs Like Each Other?
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET (c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2010Kissing Labs Leadership Helps Your Dogs Get Along Now and again I run into a dog owner with pack problems. Their pups just are not working...

- Conehead, Megaphone, Satellite Dish, Lampshade, Sun Visor: Enjoying The Humor Of E-collar Nicknames
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, our ASK THE VET Columnist (c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009Tanner Adapts Well to his E-collar Let me start with a clarification. Some people call the vibration-type training collars 'E-Collars',...

- Did You Know I Love Dogs? And Dog Parks!
I love wondering what they're smelling when they sniff a spot for a long time. Their noses are supposedly a million times more sensitive than ours. I think, if they could talk, they'd tell us that Midas was just at this spot. Where is Midas today?...

- Dog Park Fun: Wait For Me! I Want That Frisbee Too!
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2008 Oliver Races after TannerAs He Catches the Frisbee Like a Pro Poor Oliver! The Frisbee is bigger than he is, so there's just no catching it for him. The same goes for fetch with a tennis ball. He can't even...

- Dog Park Fun Is Good For Everyone
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko Tanner is Greeted at the Dog Park There simply is nothing better than a good off-leash run at the dog park. For my guys, any dog park will do, just as long as they can be leash-free for a good run. Each of my 3 has their...

Dogs