Bentley's First Sleep Over

Do you ever have one of those days when you just go on auto pilot?
I think that's what it's been like around here lately. I just go about the day doing my tasks and only the colour and size of the dogs changes. All our visitors know the routines so well and they get along beautifully.
Then somebody comes along and I realize, hey, wait a minute, you don't know those rules yet do you?  That was me the other day when Bentley's mom reminded me he has never had a sleep over here yet!
Wow! I totally forgot that!
So began our first sleep over prep. We started the day out like any other day. Play, RUN! Play, eat. Nap! Play, chase, play, rest.

Good girl Princess MollyDawg!
Why are the other mats empty? Doesn't anyone know
the mats are placed for the dogs?? (((sigh)))

Later in the day, we head downstairs to the bedroom to check out the sleeping accommodations.  Even though at our meet n greet all the beds had been visited, I like to reintroduce the beds to new dogs before it's actually sleep time.There are a couple of stuffies strategically placed and lots of comfy pillows for everyone. Bentley was happy enuf to go in the room and check out all the possibilities. He also was smart enuf to know and say." Uhhh, excuse me lady, BUT! It's no way near bedtime yet so Im heading out of here."
Of course, that's just fine but not before we check out the other crates in the other room and the big cozie padded quilt.

Yes, this mat is The Princess's bed.
However if you are calm, brave and choose to attempt
to lay with her, she WILL oblige.

There are eight possible sleeping areas downstairs and each dog is free to make his or her own choice. Usually.  We have an exception and that is Miss Mylu. (More about that in another post.) Bentley's mom suggested he sleep in a crate with the door closed. Ordinarily I follow an open crate policy. However, when a mom or dad tells me they think a closed door is best, I think it's wise to follow that suggestion. At least for the first few sleeps. So knowing he was going to have to be in a closed crate, we had a short game of find the cookie in the crate. The crate he would be sleeping in is large enough for me to be inside with him so it was easy to encourage him to go in. He showed no anxiety with the crate so we left the room and headed back outdoors for playtime.
We had a day trip planned and now was the perfect time for it.

Sorry Lady May, you have to stay home baby girl.

Bentley usually doesn't jump right in the car yet. He's had a bit of an owie when jumping in once and is a bit hesitant. We'll work on a bit of practise with him. For now he was quite happy to oblige. After all Lady May had already set the pace.

But Im going right lady?

So off we went to visit Squire Seven. He wasn't home but we had free run of his yard. Yahoo!!  Well, free run on lead! Only until the big scary noise came along!

 

What's that big noise??

We think this pilot was checking for lightening strikes.
We've had some pretty yuckie skys lately.

You're safe to keep playing if you want Bentley

We played and ran for a little while longer.  Playing ball and running in Royal K9 Korner's yard is great fun, but, there's nothing like a new adventure to help you sleep at night.
So he did. With only one, quite firm and defying BARK before sleep.  I think he just needed to show his disapproval of having the door closed on him. Still, he put his little head down and fell fast asleep. Yay!

Nite night little boy. Soon you can have your door open at night.

The next morning, I woke him up only when The Princess asked politely to be excused for her  morning constitution.   Bentley came out of the crate calm and well rested. By 6 am he was raring to go and full of his usual fun spirit. He was a wonderful house guest and a perfect sleeper.
I know he'll be sleeping with his door open very soon.  I really think a bit of prep before the first night sleep over is a good idea. It certainly seems to have payed off in my cases anyway.

I love when the little visitors wake feeling like they've had a great night sleep and it was "just Like HOME!"

Yahooo, more water fun!!

Does Dog Sitting Ever Get Boring?

Some people ask if I get tired of dog sitting.
Well, in my eyes, that's like asking a mother if she gets tired of her children!! So, yes sometimes I feel exhausted. Am I likely to change my business any time soon. No! Of course not!! I love 'my' dogs! All of them.
There are some days when I can sit quietly in the shade and supervise while I'm reading my book. Not all days are Run 'n Chase puppy days.

Miss Mylu and Master Rookie enjoy a placid afternoon in the shade

I can sit on my bench and read or watch them from my patio
while I do my house chores. No worries at all.

How quickly our day events change depends on who's visiting that particular day. We bounce between the speed loving, energy plus dogs to the tranquil, like to be left alone personalities.  Sometimes it changes mid day if we have an unexpected visitor stop by.
I haven't sat down to count how many frequent us lately, but I know there's about a dozen. It can get very busy on any given day. Especially if we get an unscheduled furry in due to an emergency at their home. 
One of the reasons I insist on a pre meet and greet is for those unexpected events.

On most days we only have an extra two furries here. It always works well when someone needs sitting and I already have someone scheduled.  I like it best when there is more than one extra furry.   It means there will be somebody else here, other than the  old fragile "Royal Girls" to entertain them. 

We sometimes have visitors who don't get along very well. I try to set a goal those days, to allow for as many safe, positive interactions as possible during their stay.  There is always a gate between them when needed.  I will also provide extra safety by placing a second gate two feet away.   Sometimes having opportunities for those who don't get along,  just to be in each others presence in a safe environment is enough to help them relax. They may even begin to accept each other.

How long is morning rest time?

The gates also provide a bit of security for The Royals. It allows a bit of a reprieve from active puppies and a rest from having to deal with others when they've had enough. Some of our gates are simple dividers while others are more sturdy for ensured safety.  All are used in a positive manner, reinforcements are always given when a gate is being used. They are NEVER used to lock a dog alone in a room for any reason what-so-ever! 

Sometimes it can be a bit of a challenge to keep everyone happy and receiving full positive attention.
I'm very 'up' for the challenge and always look carefully at my calendar to see who's here on which days.  Do I ever turn dogs away?  Yes, I absolutely have to sometimes. It's necessary for not over crowding.
I also need to take breaks for my personal life and my Royal Girls. We are still a family and need our personal space as well.
We just have a very extended family and continue to love every minute of it.
Even on those days when I am run ragged. It's those quiet nights seeing those tired, sleepy eyes in bed that make me smile and say,  "Yes,  little one. You are safe with us until your mommy and daddy can come back home to you.

Sweet Dreams Little River.
You'll see your mommy and daddy tomorrow.

Mid June at Royal K9 Korner

Here we are already half way through 2019. I'm really wanting the days to slow down. We're having a great time being able to play out in the yard again. We're chasing each other and running in and out of the house, mucking up mommy's new kitchen floor with our pool soggy paws. She loves it! I can tell, cuz she always bends down when the floor is all wet. Im sure its to play with us!

 

Who has soggy paws??

Lil Molly, and Mylu and Bentley and River have all been over visiting us so far this month. Rookie will be coming this week along with Mylu and Lil Molly returning this weekend! Woo Hooo fun times ahead!
It took Lil Molly a few licks and circles to remember who River was but when she did, it was all, "Yahooo! Let's go!"

"Hi! Remember me??"

I remember you.

I think I love you

But no splashing please!

... and then River was alone with us Royals. Now don't get me wrong, She loves us. However, we really just Do Not play how River would like.

sigh...  are there any other dogs coming over?

Well of course there was! The very next day, we had an unexpected visitor needing day care. What a great surprise! River and Bentley had not had a chance to meet yet. Well, it turns out, these two are going to very best buddies! That's no surprise to me. Both are high energy. Even though they both have very different personalities.  2 yr old River has had an unpleasant experience with a dog in her past and is sometimes a bit nervous of new, over zealous playmates.  1 yr old Bentley on the other hand is all, "Oh who cares! Let's RUN FAST and JUMP and PLAY!!"

River, - " I think I like you but go slow okay!"
Bentley, "Slow? What's that?"

We gave them both lots of time getting to know each other. Bentley came a day early for a short meet with River. We left Bentley's halter on and added a short lead for a quick pull away if needed. He was very cooperative, even though he really wanted to just get the formalities over with and PLAY CHASE!  River showed signs of being leery but kept responding positively to Bentley's persistence.   She politely scolded him a couple of times with a good firm bark that said, "Look, I told you, I'll play, but not so rough okay?"

The next day was all about learning polite play behaviours, with River as the teacher. I had to step in a couple of times to assert my rank and remind them both of good manners. There was a full morning and afternoon of licking and playing, setting leadership and how the games would go. When ever Bentley was scolded he dropped to the ground like a good boy and gave River the respect she needed and rightly deserved. Good Boy Bentley!!
Before long they were into full open mouth play and ready to move out doors for the entire yard of RUN and Chase!


By after lunch, both were ready to follow the NO ROUGH PLAY after eating rule. We had quiet floor play only and then crashed for nap time. We're pretty sure Bentley and River will be at it before long again. Bentley sure is a good listener and River, well, she's just the best-est teacher ever!

Now, I better tell mommy to get back to moping up the soggy, doggy paw, wet kitchen floor! 

Not from me though, Right??