Doggie dynamics

KentuckyGSDLover · 01-01-2012, 01:46 PM

I'm watching some strange dynamics going on here with Rey settling in the house. My 14-year-old, Buddy, who is neither dominant or submissive, but rather neutral, has now taken it upon himself to nobly stand "guard" over anxious Rey. When my neighbor is feeding his cows and Rey suspiciously stares at the intruding truck, Buddy stands in front of her, staring at it calmly, his head held proud. This seems to comfort Rey. I know I'm not imagining this. Buddy is communicating to Rey that things are okay. I've noticed these dynamics in the last three days, as he's done this several times when an unknown thing to Rey presents itself and she appears nervous. Isn't that odd? I'm really proud of my ol' boy.

Daisy&Lucky's Mom · 01-01-2012, 01:53 PM

I think that your Buddy is helping Rey get used to things. I read short story about a senior dog who was doing an overnight w/ foster family. The foster parents two dogs would lay next to the overnight guest . The older girl had arthritis and couldnt do the stairs so they made her a bed in the LR. To the foster mom's amazement her dogs came back downstairs and laid next to their canine guest. I think dogs who are confident can teach and help other dogs who arent.Buddy deserves a reward.

KentuckyGSDLover · 01-01-2012, 02:40 PM

Oh trust me, Buddy is one very spoiled doggie. At 14, he pretty gets anything he wants. His name suits him. He has just been a great companion and a stable, lovable, trustable dog. I love him with all my heart. I make a point of taking him for at least a short car ride alone with me daily (his favorite thing), so he doesn't feel left out or jealous.

When I stepped up my "no play bites/chews" with Rey by conditioning her that every time she inappropriately chewed me, my sneaker, my chair, tried to pull Buddy's pillow out from under him and unstuff it, etc., she IMMEDIATELY got lead down the hall and to her crate (and I did this every 15 minutes for hours two days in row until she got that her behavior had direct consequences), Buddy decided he'd lay in the office with her. Whew - that little black tasmanian devil wears me out! But again, this was Buddy looking to me to make things better, then him helping me out when I did. Rey is starting to crave being part of the family/pack now and wanting to be with us wherever we are, so consistently shunning her poor behaviors is working. Buddy shuns her when she misbehaves, too. He just walks away. Buddy has stepped up, so to speak. They really do respond if we make ourselves crystal clear, don't they?

01-01-2012, 01:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
KentuckyGSDLover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Kentucky, of course Posts: 407	Doggie dynamics I'm watching some strange dynamics going on here with Rey settling in the house. My 14-year-old, Buddy, who is neither dominant or submissive, but rather neutral, has now taken it upon himself to nobly stand "guard" over anxious Rey. When my neighbor is feeding his cows and Rey suspiciously stares at the intruding truck, Buddy stands in front of her, staring at it calmly, his head held proud. This seems to comfort Rey. I know I'm not imagining this. Buddy is communicating to Rey that things are okay. I've noticed these dynamics in the last three days, as he's done this several times when an unknown thing to Rey presents itself and she appears nervous. Isn't that odd? I'm really proud of my ol' boy.

01-01-2012, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Daisy&Lucky's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,437	I think that your Buddy is helping Rey get used to things. I read short story about a senior dog who was doing an overnight w/ foster family. The foster parents two dogs would lay next to the overnight guest . The older girl had arthritis and couldnt do the stairs so they made her a bed in the LR. To the foster mom's amazement her dogs came back downstairs and laid next to their canine guest. I think dogs who are confident can teach and help other dogs who arent.Buddy deserves a reward.

01-01-2012, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
KentuckyGSDLover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Kentucky, of course Posts: 407	Oh trust me, Buddy is one very spoiled doggie. At 14, he pretty gets anything he wants. His name suits him. He has just been a great companion and a stable, lovable, trustable dog. I love him with all my heart. I make a point of taking him for at least a short car ride alone with me daily (his favorite thing), so he doesn't feel left out or jealous. When I stepped up my "no play bites/chews" with Rey by conditioning her that *every time* she inappropriately chewed me, my sneaker, my chair, tried to pull Buddy's pillow out from under him and unstuff it, etc., she IMMEDIATELY got lead down the hall and to her crate (and I did this every 15 minutes for hours two days in row until she got that her behavior had direct consequences), Buddy decided he'd lay in the office with her. Whew - that little black tasmanian devil wears me out! But again, this was Buddy looking to me to make things better, then him helping me out when I did. Rey is starting to crave being part of the family/pack now and wanting to be with us wherever we are, so consistently shunning her poor behaviors is working. Buddy shuns her when she misbehaves, too. He just walks away. Buddy has stepped up, so to speak. They really do respond if we make ourselves crystal clear, don't they?

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