Boltz- Life in the Middle

In this week’s photo, Boltz displays an ear posture that we code in our behavioral dictionary (AKA Ethogram) as Ears Pricked and Turned Sideways (EPTS).  What does it mean?  The ears pricked show interest, but the ears turned to the side show a bit of uncertainty.  These conflicting behaviors sum up the life of a mid-range adult.  Boltz has spent a winter engaging in some social behavior with the pups.  He’s taken some opportunity to assert some rank over them, has been trying to test Aidan a bit for some status, but the uncertainty shows a lack of confidence.  His testing behavior of Aidan hasn’t yielded him much in the terms of rank status.  But as Aidan ages, we will watch those ear postures for that indication that Boltz has the confidence to move out of the middle.  Of course, Boltz has Axel and Grayson to contend with; Both will likely be driven by the same behavioral patterns.  Fortunately for Boltz, a wolf pups usually doesn’t reach full maturity until 18 -24 months.