Probably the most common mistake people make is to believe their dog is mutt-friendly because it lives with other dogs. But this is not the case, because what they fail to realize is that dogs in the family are a total different story to stranger dogs, and that a family vs enemy mindset applies.

I get calls on a daily basis from folks insisting  their 8 month old male Bull Terrier will be fine in puppy school, because he lives with his biological family, and therefore loves dogs -  yeah I bet … guaranteed he’d eat a whole one on his own.

You see, dogs at home are family but outsiders are a different story - They look different,  smell different, behave differently and when encountered, a red flag pops up: “Enemy … destroy!” This is a good reason why pups with tiny, milk teeth should attend school where they will encounter little foreign terrestrials, as well as a large, experienced trainer who will liberate them from their family vs enemy mindset.

Remember, dogs are pack animals and providing there is abundance of food, they are happiest cohabiting with other  animals which could be two-leggeds or four-leggeds - be they  feathered, hairy or smooth, because everyone in their ‘cave’ becomes  ‘family’ to defend fiercely against prevailing cats, dangerous postmen, innocent four pawed-pedestrians and various other enemies. And this alliance is taken very seriously and often until death do them part - also a good reason not to introduce a new kitten into a tightly knit pack, because the results could be counterproductive with one moggy less on our planet.

Family ties

Now another interesting aspect of the doggie family vs enemy mentality is when they are out of their territories or on hallowed ‘mutual ground’. Family members, sure as hell, gang up on innocent victims. And what began as a simple routine inspection of little Fluffet’s body parts often prove a fatal attraction should she take fright and run … and who wouldn’t when impolitely examined by two, ruddy,  great testosterone powered Rottweilers?

Family ties begin early because sibling pups of 8 weeks will gang up against the enemy and one thing is guaranteed - when pups are off their home turf, they become Jekyls and Hydes,  often shocking their doting parents rigid with their distasteful sexual innuendos, racialist attitudes and foul body language!

And don’t think the canine-scanner ever misses an enemy.  I recall being alerted to danger one full night by my trusty dog family who all insisted there was an intruder on the premises.  Murder was on my mind by the morning - then I remembered, I had just introduced one lucky rooster into my run of 14 hens. So you see, family is family and the enemy is the enemy…. Kapeesh!?