canine home ground

[agardner09]

Ok doggy experts, here's a puzzler for you.
It's well known that dogs defend their territory especially if there is food around, but if they are absent from that territory for whatever reason how long is it before it ceases to be their territory ? Or can they have more than one home territory?

[woofgang]

I think once their scent has faded, they have to reclaim it. but I am not sure what you mean by "defend their territory?

[lankeela]

I think you will find anyone who has taken a dog back after rehoming it to someone else will tell you they immediately revert to considering their original home as their territory. Its only if they go to a new home with a dog already in place that they either have to defer to that dog or make a bid for 'top dog' by intimidating the resident dog, i.e. by scent marking or by pushing their way in for food, treats, attention, etc. Some dogs just aren't 'top dog' material and will allow any new dog to take over.

[boxtops]

Cats are like that too, lankeela, some swank about and others just sit under the sideboard and grumble....

[carmalee]

it's a misconception that every dog will defend it's territory - most will of course but it's all about being 'top dog'. Whereas most dogs are more inclined to be more vigorous in arguing the toss when they are on home turf, if the visiting or intruding dog is more dominant then the 'in situ' dog will concede. All ownership of territory has to be fought for although it doesn't always come to a fully fledged punch up.

[Meg]

My old bitch spent a couple of weekends with a friend, she had two dogs and they all got on well.
One of the boys died and she got a rescue bitch. They next time Meg visited she went potty to find a new dog in the house and was very aggressive towards it.

Needless to say she wasn't welcome there again.
So, yes, I think they can have more than one "home territory".