Robert,
Don't know about the video, maybe. It's a good idea.
Sounds like you have a lot of understanding about the dog world.
As far as the social structure goes, you're right, we can't allow her to be the leader. Dogs thrive on a structure they understand. They have to know who is dominant and they like routine. So we are working on both of those issues.
We take her out to the same place, feed her with the same routine, put her in her box (den) at the same times, etc. She has already demonstrated submission to one of the other dogs, but she's so young it might not last.
She is getting the routine and knows where to go when she goes out and knows how to get back in afterward. But a lot of her activity seems like random wandering or looking for a place to suckle.
The growling might be the most telling and indicative of the future. She growls a lot. Most of it during play, but it's like the default expression. For instance she can't see very well and growls, sometimes, when bumping into things. She grabs a mouthful of blankets. Then shakes and growls. This is cute now, but it's the kill method later. When she and I are playing and I'm gently batting her around, she growls and I let her take my hand into her mouth. She is the most gentle with the softest wolf kiss.
This morning she was stepping in her food bowl and my wife lifted her up. She growled and snapped, like playing, but more serious and it was not during play. Certainly not passive like our other dogs that will snap at each other briefly over food, but can be moved away from it by us with no problem.
The whole idea of following rules or establishing dominance is completely new to her. She's just who she is with no forethought, and very young. So it's difficult to get a message through. For instance I might think she wants to play, but she just wants to find a place to suckle. I might not want her to leave her den but she'll try over and over even with me telling her no and tapping her on the nose and putting her back in, etc. I wouldn't call it stubborn, so much as it's a completely new idea that takes a while to get through. But she will learn a walking routine on her own and know where we're going. She got used to a leash in about a day and it didn't bother her after that. Right away she could step over it and turn to untangle it in her legs. I was really surprised.
The dominance thing with dogs is interesting. It's not a consensus. It is sort of an agreement, but not based on mutual good, so much as aggression. It's not planned and it cannot be switched under some circumstances, and still work well. For instance if I'm dominate with the pack, but let our dog decide where we will go on our walk, she becomes more difficult to manage by wandering farther, hesitating when I call, or just ignoring me. If I lay it out with a definite plan, she's fine. So different than walking with a friend or spouse, where you might decide together where to go and what the pace might be all along the way. Food too. When I'm on a trip I take one of our dogs. If we stop and I get her something, she expects me to eat first and is uncomfortable if I offer her some of mine at the same time.
I'm wondering if dominance over food will be the first clearly wild attitude we see from Sandy. It could get dangerous at that point and be telling. But the problem could go away once the food is gone and we will, once again, have control over her. Hmmmm. Maybe. If so, that would be a good time to take a hint and get more serious about her new home.
Meanwhile, my wife is the dominant one in the dog world here. She is very clear about when and how they do things, and they all trust and love her.
Every dog I've had is different and interesting. The little terrier we have now is the best dog I've ever had. Such a pal. So sweet most of the time and always eager to go along. Full of fun. But if another dog gets between her and Sandy, and seems like a threat in any way, look out. She'll jump right up and hang on their jowl with a fierce snarl.
The whole dog world is so interesting. And they are so successful.
