Subordinate Drive is when a dog is willing to accept a position in the pack. This is okay when a dog is willing to accept that position from the pack leader. From a training standpoint, this is acceptable. However, in the pack environment, when a dog shows its Subordinate behavior to all pack members, and is willing to accept a position in the pack as designated by any member of the pack, this becomes an undesirable behavior. From the training standpoint, this is not acceptable as this is a dog that is too submissive.
Over the years, I have seen many dogs that are, in my opinion, too submissive. These have a tendency to be dogs that are not willing or able to make decisions for themselves. The ability to make decisions is important in a good hunting companion. While Subordinate Drive in the right amount is good, too much is not a desirable behavior in a good hunting companion.
Tomorrow: Rank Drive
Subordinate Drive
by
Tim Harris
of Rug-ged Retriever Training
(
13-Apr-2012
)