Spring Break at Royal K9 Korner

The long awaited Spring has finally arrived. The dogs are able to run through the yard and not slip on ice or get covered in mud. It is so nice to feel warmth from the sun now. They are enjoying laying on the warm driveway and dry ground.  I'm enjoying not having the labour of cleaning up snow fur ball or muddy paws each time before they enter the house.

Tika and Seven enjoy the warmth of the driveway

Seven only spent a couple of days with us, but he's always such a delight to have in our pack. He has a very calm, no nonsense personality. He understands leadership extremely well and has a perfect ability to read/understand other dogs. Being the only male this time, meant no other younger male was trying to outrank him. He had a very relaxing visit with us.  The girls love to have his influence around and give him the respect he deserves for his 13 years. 

We also have both Lil Molly and Tika returning to visit us. There was a bit of toy guarding at first. I'm always only a foot step away the first couple of days we have these two together. They both have strong personalities and my eyes can not leave them for an instant.  It doesn't take long for them to learn that my growl is WAY BIGGER and the sharing rule must be obeyed immediately around here.

Lil Molly, Lady May and Princess MollyDawg
prefer the softer warm dry grass

Lil Molly is very toy oriented, she's patient, smart and rather sly when others have what she deems, "her" toys.  So sneaky that she often doesn't meet any resistance when she steals them away. That's fine if the other dog allows it and if she's not hoarding them all. Which she will do and I do not allow.

Honestly Lady! No one wanted these toys!

Tika is not as toy driven but is still trying to fit herself into the pack. Her place will come easier with more visits. It will be as a gradual process of just being here. We, people tend to think dogs shouldn't have to prove where their particular rank is. Dogs like to have that hierarchy in tact and it changes each time a new pack members arrives. Patience, consistency and constant supervision makes it an easier learning time.

She is also still learning that I'm a stickler for all dogs using mats and not laying directly on the carpet.

Honestly Lady, I didn't see any mats!

Tika begins her visit with a bit of a bully girl attitude. An overpowering, in your face, posture of "I'm stronger than you, and I might outrank you and I don't have to listen to you, I'll just sit and wont budge and ... Hey, that toy that dog has looks interesting. I don't really want it but I might later, so GIVE it to me! NOW!"
Lil Molly is quick to accept a challenge and sends a big "No Way" bark, right back! Tika is  immediately taken aback.
They meet my quick and loud growl, "MY TOYS!"  and an instant removal swoop of the toy that happens so quickly, they both take a step back..  Every toy is scooped and thrown back in the bin and they vanish immediately.  Sharing, turn taking begins immediately.

I don't cherish the idea of having to go through the next few hours with a couple of dogs that I can not praise or acknowledge because they're on time out. Oh My!  So we nip those behaviors in the butt quick and early on.

We spend a long time playing sharing games indoors and out. What a difference it makes when they know the toys belong to ME. I decide who plays with what and when.  By late afternoon both are very tired and ready to even share a napping space.
Good girls!

Just don't touch my body okay?!

Once the spacial boundaries are defined and hierarchy in place, (which frequently changes dependent on situation and environment) we can get down to just enjoying a wonderful time of being. There's always rules to follow and once they're known and understood our pack settles into relax mode very easily.

Why do we have to sit and wait before we go outside? 

Oh and ... yes, it's never ending learning around here. (sigh)