The Royal Order

At Royal K9 Korner we maintain a safe, smooth operating facility for all our visitors.
Our extended pack is constantly changing. The dogs vie for position as each new member comes in on any given visit.  We know the importance of position and rank that dogs have. Each of our extended pack members are required to learn, and they do learn, to respect those higher up the ladder.  They are also required to help teach those “below” them.
As new comers arrive we watch to see who fits where in the order.  We do not assign rank or position. The dogs do that for us.  As each dog meets, they set who is where for that day.  It varies with the dynamics of the day’s pack.  Some of our pack don’t see each other for long stints at a time.  Although the dynamics change with each visit, it doesn't take them long to remember where they sit in the order and sort it out. 

Thinking that age plays a role in their position is not always so.  There are many other factors that come into play. It’s easy to see how each dog’s behaviours and personality help to determine their position within this pack.  The level of confidence, their demeanour, health, the smells they exude that day, play a role in hierarchy of each dog on premise.  When everyone is familiar with all in the extended pack our Royal Family runs like a pack “coming to Court”.

We people like to assign rank by names/titles. To help us know where each dog sits in the hierarchy at Royal K9 Korner we do just that.  We give them a title that reminds us where they stand within the pack.  New comers are given a low title because we don't know their status yet.  They do for sure.  I think it's determined right from their puppyhood.  Does that status change? Nope, not really.  Once a dog has announced their specific position they remain there.  Others may come along with higher or equal rank, but theirs does not drop. They determine which one is of higher status, and they remain in their position, just a notch above, below or of equal status.   How often a visitor comes to “Court” can certainly affect where they sit. It’s quite difficult to see their permanent role if they haven’t yet had an opportunity to meet and visit with everyone.  Thus, our newcomers are assigned ranks as “Miss” or “Page”.   I'm sure if we spoke to the dogs themselves they would tell us otherwise!

*Even though some of our family has passed over Rainbow Bridge, they remain a part in our Family and hold their given title.  We just assign a tiny rainbow to their names. RIP to all our past darlings. So, who’s where in the Royal family at Royal K9 Korner? How did they get there? Well that’s a whole different blog post for sure. I’ve put together a quick table with all our current dogs. It helps to show where we think they are in rank to date.

The Royal Pack Oct. 2019

I'm currently working on a post that will introduce our newest Royal to move in position to Tier 2!
The Littlest Countess - Lady River. WATCH FOR IT!