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Wolf Pack Ways - Arrival of the Wild Wolf Pups
by Rena Murray
Why study wild wolf society? Wild dog behavior and dog instinctive behavior have their genesis in the dog pack. The similarities of dogs with their cousin, the wild wolf, are so striking that we can gain much dog behavior and communication understanding through glimpses into wild wolf society. This series of articles deals with the wolf pack, pups in the wild wolf lodge, the alpha leader of the pack, treatment of different pack members according to their wolf pack rank, and similar issues.
Let's start at the beginning, with the pups and the wild wolf lodge. Wolf pups are born at the same time of spring as the caribou and moose calves. This gives the hunter and the hunted fair time to raise their offspring in peace. As anyone can see, if things were not set up in this order, a herd would soon be wiped out due to over harvest of the defenseless young.
Wolves generally use the same wolf den (also called wild wolf lodge) for all members of their pack to birth their pups. Wild wolves only mate once a year -- in springtime. Only one pair of wolves from each wolf pack will mate (not always the alpha leader), and that impregnated female uses the den that year.
The wolf pack changes locations in late summer, when the pups are big enough to keep up with the adults. They change again in winter, as soon as the tundra caterpillars stop creeping. That is when they return to the "family site" (nesting wild wolf lodge).
Teamwork, order, and discipline prevail in the wild wolf pack, just as it should in a properly ordered dog home. Upon their return to the lodge, all pack members will go into the den one-by-one, and each will clean out a section.
The only time the wild wolf pack will use dens outside of their established summer and winter quarters is during the migration between the two sites. The wolf pack will continue to use the same home dens until the male alpha leader dies and one of his offspring takes his place.
The new alpha leader will have a mate from another pack -- usually one about his age who has chosen to leave her pack and find a new one (as many adolescent wolves do at age two). Family members do not mate. The new alpha female often digs a new den, and the whole family chips in together to make the new site a good home.
The wolf pack eagerly awaits the arrival of her pups. The male alpha leader leads them to the wolf pack lodge when the expecting mother gives him the signal with her eyes.
The members of the wolf pack wait outside the lodge until they hear distant puppy whimpers. Wild wolves and domestic dogs alike have keen hearing and a discerning sense of smell. Through the sound of the cries, the wolves know how many pups have been whelped. Through scent, they know the sex of the pups.
The pack also howls very loudly to celebrate the arrival of the pups. This continues for several minutes up to one-half hour. When such an announcement is made, rival packs often rush to their territory borders to remark with fresh scent messages. This reminds the other pack of the rival's strength, capabilities, previous battles where they were the victors, and so forth. Wild wolves know and respect boundaries (so it is not unreasonable for you to expect your domestic pup to observe the boundaries you establish, either!).
Unlike some species of animals, the wolf alpha leader will not kill pups created by another pair in his pack. All members of the wolf pack adore and care for the young ones. You may have benefited from this same phenomenon if you have older, well-trained, emotionally stable dogs who eagerly groomed and trained your new puppy as though she were their own. What a welcome relief to have them lead, teach, and discipline the pup, greatly reducing your parenting burden! Gain even greater understanding of your domestic dog behavior and communication in the next few articles as we explore more wolf pack ways.
Unwanted Wild Dog Behavior and Dog Instinctive Behavior in your dog? Ask Dog Behaviorist – Dog Obedience Trainer, Rena Murray, at the Dog Behavior Modification site - your source for Dog Training and Dog Rehabilitation help, Dog Products, Dog Lover Gifts, and all things dog related. See Rena's no-nonsense "Platinum Expert Author" Articles, "BestEzines"-featured free Newsletter – PAW PERSUASION POINTERS, and the Paw Persuasion Blog - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/ . Contact Rena NOW for hands-on help with a Private Coaching Session .
Contact the author, Rena Murray
, at rena@pawpersuasion.com
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