Dr Liesel van der Merwe is a small animal medicine specialist. Send her your questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dr Liesel van der Merwe

There is a constant ebb and flow at my house because I adopt adult dogs and cats, especially those abandoned or neglected. Thus I have formed my own theories on dog behaviour and human animal interaction.

I often tell clients to remember that their pets are dogs and not children. By this I don’t mean that they need less love and care, but they need different love and care. Dogs originated from the wolf. Although they’ve been domesticated for a long time, dogs are still basically pack animals.

The pack is very hierarchical. This may seem cruel, but you have to admit that it certainly defines roles. It means that the pack functions better and that less energy is wasted on arguing and fighting, which is better for long-term survival. 

Humans are always sorry for the underdog, but if we interfere with the system and “uplift” this animal, all we do is cause more long-term retribution as the dominant dogs see this as behaviour that needs to be stopped.

Animals naturally will not fight without real cause, as injury may result in death. There are many behavioural and postural warnings and communication before a fight develops. We do not always understand these signals and if we as owners interfere with this process, things are inclined to escalate. Our pets pick up when we are stressed and that also worsens the situation.

When running with my dogs, two of them are off the lead and I am always amazed at how dogs on both sides of an open gate will just pretend that it is closed and continue to bark at each other along the fence. They are really just showing off and posturing. If you don’t engage with the situation, it will defuse.

Additionally, on the entire running route there are only two properties where frenzied barking ensues from both sets of dogs and on other properties the smaller dogs will slip through the fence and “chase” us all along the road up to their boundary line and then “see us off” their property.

If you just keep moving, the situation flows calmly and everybody is satisfied that they have not “lost face”. If you stop, pull on the lead and shout . . . well, then everyone gets worked up and generally a proper fight ensues. 

When you get home, don’t greet any animals until you have settled down inside the house. If not, the animals will compete for your attention. Feed them in a structured situation and make sure that they are not too close to each other if they are inclined to be protective of their food. Separate them if necessary.

I walk away from my own dogs’ arguments and just keep an eye to make sure that there is not too much bloodshed. Try to think back to what set it off and who seemed to be the initiator and why. Generally it is related to something we as owners have done.

If two male dogs are fighting and they are too evenly matched, then it may be necessary to sterilise one of them. Sterilise the slightly less dominant dog, as you need to widen the gap between the dominant dog and the usurper. Castrating both will still keep the playing field reasonably even and won’t always help the situation. 

Safe, healthy play can aid in social development while building behavioural flexibility and helping the dog learn to get along with others. However, rough or traumatic interactions with inappropriate playmates can cause emotional and physical problems. And in some cases, it can lead to aggression.

Causes for concern
•You don’t see role reversals and self-handicapping. Remember that normal play doesn’t have winners or losers.
• You witness intense and aggressive play, including grab and shake components.
• You see that at least one of the dogs has its hackles up, which is often a sign of fear or anxiety.
• You notice that one dog is disengaging while the other isn’t.

If you see any of the above signs, interrupt the dogs to give them a break.

If you own only one dog, which has to stay home alone most of the time, behavioural problems may result. Dogs are family animals, which means that they are nosey and interested in what is happening in the suburb.

Small daily walks will help to reduce canine stress as they get to see and smell what they have only been hearing about all day, and get the chance to leave territorial ‘messages’. Merely saying “they have a big yard to run in” doesn’t mean that they are sufficiently stimulated. Things have to be happening and they need interaction with other dogs or people.

Give your dogs the chance to act as dogs and stop treating them like people.