Debates and disputes about Bitcoin’s governance often pivot on the rules baked into the world’s original blockchain network’s code. The latest dispute suggests the reality is more nuanced. The alternative Bitcoin client “DOG Mode”, introduced by Bitcoin developer “Leonidas”, doesn't attempt to rewrite Bitcoin's consensus rules. Instead, it targets the default relay policies used by Bitcoin Core and other node software. These are in effect the settings that determine which valid transactions are forwarded around the network before miners include them in a block.