All Things Dog Blog

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Do Your Dogs Like Each Other?

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(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2010

Kissing Labs
Leadership Helps Your Dogs Get Along

Now and again I run into a dog owner with pack problems. Their pups just are not working as a team. Those of us who have successfully integrated multiple dogs into a happy partnership know that there is one ingredient necessary to make this work: Leadership.

Without a clearcut sense of who is in charge, your dogs--both large and small--will jockey for position as the boss. This competition is not what it might be with children; its more about someone stepping up to set the rules. The unfortunate part is that some owners just don't step up.

It's not that they don't care, but more about not knowing. That's why I'm sharing this here. With three dogs in my home, and a highly diverse three they are, I knew from the getgo that I had to be the one in charge. You see, Xena is 13. She was the 'only dog' for 10 years. Along came Tanner, who became her best friend, albeit her student. She continues to play the role of mom to him, putting him in line the minute I ask him to do something.

Even at 13, I have to discipline Xena for trying to be the boss. She may employ her mothering instincts when she washes his ears. She is welcome to play the companion when she invites him to have a tag game. But she cannot, under any circumstances, be in charge.

Oliver, our adolescent at only 2 years of age, often tries to pull rank on Tanner, as well. You can probably guess that Tanner is the submissive one in the bunch. That's actually a good thing, because he is the largest of the three. We don't need a BIG BOY taking over either. Despite his slight submissiveness, Tanner still maintains a healthy self-confidence.

I suppose I could say he is more easy-going than submissive. He tolerates most anything our senior citizen or the juvenile dole out, and all in his good natured way. "Bring it on, gang; I love to play."

And play he does. Tanner is a social butterfly at the dog park, making sure he greets everyone--both human and canine. When he visits his favorite daytime play-place, Bow Wow Resort, he employs the same set of rules: don't leave anyone out.

Oliver, the Papillon, has what it takes to occasionally try to assert his own dominance. At 9 pounds, his method is more mouth than brawn. Sorry, little buddy; that job is mine. You'll have to remain part of the pack, bringing up the rear in our walks.

I hope this scenario has given you a vision for your own pack. I'll try to address this situation more in a later post. Meanwhile, here's your homework:

Prefer an easier approach? All Things Dog Blog will be announcing its new ASK THE TRAINER column soon. You're going to love this lady. She is no nonsense and all about what YOU want your dog to do. None of that "My way or the highway" business!

Watch for it sometime in the next week or two. And of course, don't forget to start thinking of questions. You can leave them as comments on a post, or email them to me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Take your pick.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dogs and Babies: An Interview with a New Mom

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Helping your dog understand the evolving pack structure when your family adds members is a task that requires forethought and preparation. Bringing a baby into your home is even more challenging for a dog because of the confusing things a baby does. Imagine, from your dog's perspective, the strange little human who cannot yet walk, and makes many odd and annoying noises.

Charlie, Baby Oliver's Pomeranian Housemate

Dogs need our leadership to help them understand that we are still in charge, and all is well. More importantly, giving your dog guidance in terms of rules and boundaries, well before the baby arrives, will help assure that your dog understands the baby's place; he is just another pack leader.

Today I am talking with new mom, Carrie McClain, about how her family has dealt with their recent new baby, after his homecoming:

Boyko) Congratulations on your new addition. My Papillon, Oliver, and I think you picked an awesome name--Oliver!

McClain) Yes! Actually, my Oliver was larger when he was born, than yours is now. He also out-weighed Charlie by a full pound (9 lb., 6 oz.)!

Boyko) Ouch! Can you tell my readers about your dog, Charlie.
McClain) Charlie is our almost 12 year old Pomeranian. He's been mama's baby for a long time!

Boyko) So, when your baby boy was born, how did things change for Charlie?

McClain) He spent a few days with his grammy while we adjusted. That went just fine for him. He loved staying there; it was familiar.

Boyko) When he came home, how did he react to the changes? Did he seem to sense a difference in your demeanor towards him?

McClain) At first he pouted a bit and this interfered with some of his routine, like medicine timing and eating. I think he could tell I was feeling guilty about not spending as much time with him. He's warming up a bit though and now will come to get me if he hears the baby cry. It's very cute.

Boyko) How did you solve the pouting?

McClain) Hubby took Charlie out for daily walks, one on one. That helped him get some attention and the exercise was good for his attitude. I also try to make some time for him myself, so he knows he's still important to me. Even if I just let him take a nap with me, to him that's a big deal.

Boyko) Cesar Millan would like that; hubby maintained his leadership role. Does Oliver get out on walks too?

McClain) Now we all go together.

Boyko) Awesome! One happy pack. Is Charlie behind the baby's stroller?

McClain) Usually one of us "wears" the baby in a Moby wrap while the other walks Charlie. Occasionally I will wear the baby and walk Charlie while B (hubby) is at work. Charlie has always been well-behaved on his walks so we haven't had too much of a problem. If B and Charlie get too far ahead, Charlie will stop and wait until we've caught up. It's usually difficult to even get him out the door unless he's sure I'm with him. He did try to run once but when I used my stern mama voice he immediately stopped. Thankfully! And, I don't let Charlie sit on my lap when the baby is there. I've been very clear about this rule.

Boyko) Has Charlie been given a chance to "greet" Oliver yet?
McClain) We let Charlie smell the baby when both are calm. I've also read about families that will introduce the dog to an item from the baby before the actual baby. We didn't feel this was necessary with Charlie, but it seems like a good idea for a larger or more aggressive dog.

Boyko) Excellent that you focus on "calm" energy for their greetings. You must have read some pack leader books, huh?

McClain) Fortunately, Charlie is a pretty good-natured guy, so I was not too worried for Oliver's safety. We haven't actually read any books, but it seems to me that if you treat your dog with love and respect, that's what you will get in return.

Boyko) I would agree that respect gets respect. All in all, it sounds like the transition is going well.

McClain) It isn't prefect, but it's going alright. I think I might be suffering more than Charlie is. We've tried to make sure he has been put out as little as possible, to avoid jealousy and other problems such as hurt feelings.

Boyko) Thanks for sharing your experience, and good luck with Oliver and Charlie.

McClain) And thank you for the guest post at my blog, Carrie's Kitchen Creations. Who doesn't like homemade organic brownies? Oh, and one last thing. Be sure to stop in and see my new blog: Oh Baby O! where I talk babies, baby stuff and baby care.

Boyko) You got it.

Carrie McClain is the Chief Executive Blogger at Carrie's Kitchen Creations and Oh Baby O! Married to "B" and a busy mother to new baby, Oliver, Carrie also enjoys many forms of fiber arts and plans an Etsy site to sell her goods. Not to be neglected is her first "child", Charlie, an adorable Pomeranian who continues to enjoy napping with Carrie whenever he can.