Humans and dogs are predisposed to having hierarchical social systems because both species need ways of resolving the conflicts that inevitably arise in group living. These potential conflicts can include who goes out the door first, who gets the best sleeping place, or who gets to mate with whom. As we humans know well, one of the ways to resolve these conflicts is by fighting. But fighting is not the best solution when conflicts can come up repeatedly during the day: it takes a lot of energy and is dangerous. Individuals can avoid having to fight every time that a conflict arises with a
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