What Is a Pack?
In the world of canines, nothing is more important than their pack. Dictionaries, such as the Oxford online dictionary Lexico, define a pack as a group of wild animals, especially wolves, living and hunting together (source).
A pack is a working family group with a hierarchy in which every member knows their social status. The pack functions together based on social structure. Wild dogs and wolves form packs to protect their territory, care for and protect the young, and to hunt large prey (source).
Dogs were once kin to wolves, specifically, the grey wolf. Although they took the domestication path alongside humans, they have never lost the need for the comfort a pack provides. A pack is vital to its members’ survival, whether wolf, wild dog, or domestic dog.
# Adores You with Affection
Dogs are incredibly social animals. They shower people they like with love and affection. Jumping hugs, licks and kisses are very common.
The subservient attitude also comes in a form of approval from the alpha. So the constant licks and kisses you get is a sign that your dog is looking for your approval.
While wolves are not social like dogs, they have their own form in getting approval from their superiors. The affection they show also varies from pack to pack. Whatever the form of affection is, affection giving is always a sign that you are being looked upon.
# Let’s You Walk Through A Door First
The alphas always lead the pack. So if your dog lets you go through a door, then it’s a sign that he is following your lead.
A pack leader has the responsibility of leading and protecting the rest of the pack. Your dog will be looking for protection by letting you face anything dangerous on the other side of the door. In other words, he will be looking up to you because, in his mind- you are in charge.
The same behavior can be seen with dogs and wolves in the wild. An alpha will always enter a cave first and make it safer for the rest of the pack.