Surely dogs are quite capable of finding their own pecking order? They do not have us to do it in the wild,
Quite true, but I have read behavioural research in to pack animals of all types (including wolves & baboons!) and it is evident that the loss of a strong pack leader (in this case, Brook) can lead to complete collapse of a successfully functioning pack, with internal disputes, fights, defections to other packs, reduction in births etc etc due to the lack of an effective replacement for the pack leader
Obviously, in nature, they find their own way and the pack is often absorbed into surrounding packs or exisits for several years in a state of chaos and disruption until another leader "steps up" - but in the case of packs that we have created, I think we have a responsibility to assist them in dealing with these issues to prevent this type of chaos occurring in our own homes
I hope it works out for you all Gill, and that little Jersey joins a harmonious home as planned