watched it last night, 9 to 10 pm on the geo. channel, est. very interesting. Shaun knows the wolf and has gone deeper into their social habitat that proly anyone has... but... has he really? his approach is brazen, thats for sure.
I spent countless hours outside the enclosure of a wolf pack before I was able to enter. Sitting against the fence...halfway into the night, just observing and becoming "friends" i with those that would approach me. After the pack had become comfortable with me on the outside... I was allowed to enter... The alpha male never approached me, he just laid and watched me, still not 100% sure or comfortable of my intentions. The younger wolves frolicked with me.. i was always careful not to show aggression, for the enforcer was there..and that could lead to an attack on me..or worse, from the alpha male or female. as my visits numbered... the alpha female became comfortable with me and we shared some play time also... but the A-male never did.. just watched... to him, i was a potential threat ... to him as well...as the alpha.... so respect was his all the time. I spent all night with them several times. but when sleeping, i was left unattended... the younger ones would sleep near me, in pairs or 3...but thats it. the alpha male always slept where he could observe me. needless to say.. my sleep was "half in half out" LOL
where im going with this is, i dont think Shauns pack actually felt he was a "wolf"....... even though he wore the same soiled clothes he had worn from the begining... his scent is not the same... its human scent. and as he stated..which is true..the wolfs sense of smell is beyong approach.. its so keen its amazing..
the growling, snarling, and many other wolf actions he used is common for those of us who have had up close and personal time with wolves and higher content wolfdogs. I have had to act like a wolf many times with my wolfdogs.. especially my current wolfdog, Keona... it works better and faster than a stern "no"...because in some intense situations, the wolf in the dog dominates the instict and your actions trigger the instinct into submission.
for instance, my open mouth with teeth pressed over the top of her muzzle with make her freeze. i only have done this is rare situations when "human to dog" discipline is not working... a challenge from her at this point could lead to serious injury to me... but i know... she respects my position as "alpha" in our family..and that wont happen.... but i stand ready should it. you never strike a wolf or wolfdog, for you will break the bond if you do so. that signals "im taking you out"...and the bond will be gone... only fear, not respect, will remain. Shaun did an excellent job of bonding with the pack, and raising his pups.
I don't' think, however, that we, humans, can "teach" the wolf to "live within acceptable means" with us... thats not going to happen, his research and findings and methodology behind using the wolf howls as a deterrent is one answer, and I applaud him for that.. it works, and what he did was most admirable. Now, how many ranchers in America are willing to set up elaborate sound systems to use this deterrent remains to be seen... it takes a very sensitive sound system to reproduce the howls as they are not easily fooled by mechanical sound reproduction. hell...classic example was last night while i was watching the show.... all three golden retrievers were sitting errect and looking towards the tv tilting their heads during the howling sessions... Keona, however, just laid sprawled out on the carpet half asleep...she paid no attention to it all.
obviously, his living with the wolf pack in the London zoo is whats keeping him financially alive, and i dont fault him for that...im sure he gets grants as well... once committed to research like his.. he has to have something to keep him going and eat some crow on the way...like being a "spectacle" at the zoo.
His role as the alpha could only be played out in the manner he did, from the taking of the liver and heart from a fresh kill to his constant confrontations with the pack members in his wolf mannerisms. I'm sure this led to an understanding that most wolf researches had never gotten to.... in some ways.. but to me... maintaining the human presence, being an accepted "friend" of the pack... will get you the same insite...without the dangers and social "upsets" that exist. A showing of respect for the wolf will earn you respect and friendship.
In my case, as an owner of a high mid content wolfdog, I have to maintain the alpha role, for they are always looking for a way to challenge members and move up in the pecking order, its thier natural instinct. that wont change. i have kept Keona as the Omega.. which is the lower pack member..the "play instigator" if you will. I have to do this in order for her not to challange and seriously hurt one of our golden retrievers. she holds that respect for them... and we are a happy pack She would protect them from harm if they were challenged, there is no doubt in my mind, but only if it was obvious to her that they were losing the "battle".. but its a constant social occurance in our pack (family) that we (me alpha male and mary alpha female) show/signal "unacceptable behavior" to Keona when necessary.. and that holds true for any dog owner as well. and along the good lines.. you can see the dog in Keona come out more and more, as she learns from the golden retrievers.. she now plays with dog toys as they do...and it took 3 years for that to start.. Reno..the male that raised her.. has taught her to back..(its a half ass bark..but its a bark).... that took 2 years... and she has taught Reno to howl!!! thats right... he throws his head back and howls like a wolf.. he's the only one here that does it.. and i know its from the bond he and Keona has. dog teaches wolf ........wolf teaches dog. the constantly learn from eachother.. .some bad habits as well...LOL
Its interesting that Shaun mentioned the anti bacterial strength of the wolves saliva. As many of you know...its considered a "wives tale" that a letting a dog lick your wounds is good... for a dogs mouth is filthy and does not carry the strength of healing... according to "research". i know first hand what Shaun is saying, for i have numerous scars on my forearms, mostly from claws...from playing with the wolves and wolfdogs over my 20+ years with them... never needed stitches...had some pretty hefty butterfly bandages though..LOL .. There have been occassions when ive recieved some pretty nasty deep cuts during rescue. i always clean them right away with soap and water. when i get home... the dogs want to lick them..but Keona is all over me... dressing them for me.. and you know what? ive never had one get infected!!!!!! never. and they heal very quickly.. much quicker than if i cut myself in the yard and never let Keona touch it.
Some very in depth understanding will come out of Shaun's research.. but how much deeper than normal "human observation" from a wolf researcher remains to be seen. I feel that he is doing this for himself as much as he's doing it for the "good of the wolf and research"... but I cant fault him for that, it's an expeirence many wolf and wolfdog owners would like to have, but would never venture into that depth to get it.
Im sure he's smart enough to know the "fine lines" and "limits" before something tragic happens during his being a member of the pack. now that he's not alpha... he could get seriously injured or worse.... i hope he is smart enough to revert to his human status before that and become an observer and not try and stay a member... that wont speak well for the wolf if he gets turned on and mauled... the anti wolf activists will be all over that.
great program for sure. if you didnt see it..be sure and catch it next time around!!! i know ill be watching it again.
I spent countless hours outside the enclosure of a wolf pack before I was able to enter. Sitting against the fence...halfway into the night, just observing and becoming "friends" i with those that would approach me. After the pack had become comfortable with me on the outside... I was allowed to enter... The alpha male never approached me, he just laid and watched me, still not 100% sure or comfortable of my intentions. The younger wolves frolicked with me.. i was always careful not to show aggression, for the enforcer was there..and that could lead to an attack on me..or worse, from the alpha male or female. as my visits numbered... the alpha female became comfortable with me and we shared some play time also... but the A-male never did.. just watched... to him, i was a potential threat ... to him as well...as the alpha.... so respect was his all the time. I spent all night with them several times. but when sleeping, i was left unattended... the younger ones would sleep near me, in pairs or 3...but thats it. the alpha male always slept where he could observe me. needless to say.. my sleep was "half in half out" LOL
where im going with this is, i dont think Shauns pack actually felt he was a "wolf"....... even though he wore the same soiled clothes he had worn from the begining... his scent is not the same... its human scent. and as he stated..which is true..the wolfs sense of smell is beyong approach.. its so keen its amazing..
the growling, snarling, and many other wolf actions he used is common for those of us who have had up close and personal time with wolves and higher content wolfdogs. I have had to act like a wolf many times with my wolfdogs.. especially my current wolfdog, Keona... it works better and faster than a stern "no"...because in some intense situations, the wolf in the dog dominates the instict and your actions trigger the instinct into submission.
for instance, my open mouth with teeth pressed over the top of her muzzle with make her freeze. i only have done this is rare situations when "human to dog" discipline is not working... a challenge from her at this point could lead to serious injury to me... but i know... she respects my position as "alpha" in our family..and that wont happen.... but i stand ready should it. you never strike a wolf or wolfdog, for you will break the bond if you do so. that signals "im taking you out"...and the bond will be gone... only fear, not respect, will remain. Shaun did an excellent job of bonding with the pack, and raising his pups.
I don't' think, however, that we, humans, can "teach" the wolf to "live within acceptable means" with us... thats not going to happen, his research and findings and methodology behind using the wolf howls as a deterrent is one answer, and I applaud him for that.. it works, and what he did was most admirable. Now, how many ranchers in America are willing to set up elaborate sound systems to use this deterrent remains to be seen... it takes a very sensitive sound system to reproduce the howls as they are not easily fooled by mechanical sound reproduction. hell...classic example was last night while i was watching the show.... all three golden retrievers were sitting errect and looking towards the tv tilting their heads during the howling sessions... Keona, however, just laid sprawled out on the carpet half asleep...she paid no attention to it all.
obviously, his living with the wolf pack in the London zoo is whats keeping him financially alive, and i dont fault him for that...im sure he gets grants as well... once committed to research like his.. he has to have something to keep him going and eat some crow on the way...like being a "spectacle" at the zoo.
His role as the alpha could only be played out in the manner he did, from the taking of the liver and heart from a fresh kill to his constant confrontations with the pack members in his wolf mannerisms. I'm sure this led to an understanding that most wolf researches had never gotten to.... in some ways.. but to me... maintaining the human presence, being an accepted "friend" of the pack... will get you the same insite...without the dangers and social "upsets" that exist. A showing of respect for the wolf will earn you respect and friendship.
In my case, as an owner of a high mid content wolfdog, I have to maintain the alpha role, for they are always looking for a way to challenge members and move up in the pecking order, its thier natural instinct. that wont change. i have kept Keona as the Omega.. which is the lower pack member..the "play instigator" if you will. I have to do this in order for her not to challange and seriously hurt one of our golden retrievers. she holds that respect for them... and we are a happy pack She would protect them from harm if they were challenged, there is no doubt in my mind, but only if it was obvious to her that they were losing the "battle".. but its a constant social occurance in our pack (family) that we (me alpha male and mary alpha female) show/signal "unacceptable behavior" to Keona when necessary.. and that holds true for any dog owner as well. and along the good lines.. you can see the dog in Keona come out more and more, as she learns from the golden retrievers.. she now plays with dog toys as they do...and it took 3 years for that to start.. Reno..the male that raised her.. has taught her to back..(its a half ass bark..but its a bark).... that took 2 years... and she has taught Reno to howl!!! thats right... he throws his head back and howls like a wolf.. he's the only one here that does it.. and i know its from the bond he and Keona has. dog teaches wolf ........wolf teaches dog. the constantly learn from eachother.. .some bad habits as well...LOL
Its interesting that Shaun mentioned the anti bacterial strength of the wolves saliva. As many of you know...its considered a "wives tale" that a letting a dog lick your wounds is good... for a dogs mouth is filthy and does not carry the strength of healing... according to "research". i know first hand what Shaun is saying, for i have numerous scars on my forearms, mostly from claws...from playing with the wolves and wolfdogs over my 20+ years with them... never needed stitches...had some pretty hefty butterfly bandages though..LOL .. There have been occassions when ive recieved some pretty nasty deep cuts during rescue. i always clean them right away with soap and water. when i get home... the dogs want to lick them..but Keona is all over me... dressing them for me.. and you know what? ive never had one get infected!!!!!! never. and they heal very quickly.. much quicker than if i cut myself in the yard and never let Keona touch it.
Some very in depth understanding will come out of Shaun's research.. but how much deeper than normal "human observation" from a wolf researcher remains to be seen. I feel that he is doing this for himself as much as he's doing it for the "good of the wolf and research"... but I cant fault him for that, it's an expeirence many wolf and wolfdog owners would like to have, but would never venture into that depth to get it.
Im sure he's smart enough to know the "fine lines" and "limits" before something tragic happens during his being a member of the pack. now that he's not alpha... he could get seriously injured or worse.... i hope he is smart enough to revert to his human status before that and become an observer and not try and stay a member... that wont speak well for the wolf if he gets turned on and mauled... the anti wolf activists will be all over that.
great program for sure. if you didnt see it..be sure and catch it next time around!!! i know ill be watching it again.
. Keona sounds like she's ended up a great individual. I find it interesting that you point out from experience that a pack will tolerate you as a member of their pack, but not truely as a wolf-member. I take it they are too smart to think a human is a wolf. I wonder if Shaun will come to the same conclusion as you did?
. They've really ratcheted down where I'm at in blocking sites.
Comment