Page 45 - Mammal (DK Eyewitness)

Who’s the boss?

Dogs - wolves, jackals, dingos and all
domestic dogs - are mostly pack animals.
Puppies playing together gradually
develop many of the social signals they
will use when adult, to keep the
pack organized.
MAN’S BEST FRIEND
Most dogs behave toward their owners much as they
would toward a dominant member of their pack.

TESTING TIME FOR TEETH
The brown puppy, playing on his own, is biting and
gnawing the ring as though it were a bone, testing teeth
and strengthening jaw muscles.

TUSSLE BETWEEN THE TWO
The black-and-white puppy appears on the scene and wants to join in the game. The two brace themselves and pull
hard. This type of action is seen in many pack hunters when they work together to bring down a large prey such as a
deer. It may also occur when two animals are competing for a piece of the prey.

TAIL-BITING
The tug-of-war goes on until the bigger brown puppy gets
the ring from his brother but, having got the toy, he soon
tires of it and bites his brother’s tail instead. They are still
playing, but the bite is hard enough to mean business.

I’M THE BOSS!
The puppies now romp together, snarling
and biting in a noisy playfight. Suddenly
the black-and-white puppy nips too hard.
The brown puppy gets mad and the play
turns into a power struggle. Muzzles
wrinkle, teeth are bared, and the puppies
glare at each other. The stronger brown
pup stays on top to show who is the boss.
The black-and-white puppy rolls on his
back as a sign of submission to his
stronger brother.

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