CoBuHe
Posted : 1/13/2010 10:35:00 AM
Thanks Anne. Its really nice to read that you see two well-adjusted dogs. I think they are as well.
Sometimes they have spats (and I can definately tell the difference between a spat and play). They are few and far between....but they can get ugly. Never do they draw blood; its a lot of noise and shiny white teeth being displayed. But, its ugly enough that I'm not going to try to physically separate them. I have to distract them away from each other.
Day before yesterday they had two spats (in the same day). One inside the house and one outside the house. Never have they had two spats in one day. DH said I've been giving them more freedom in the house and thats true. I also put a toybox down in the living room and are allowing them to get whatever toys they want when they want. I'm wondering if giving them free access to toys is such a good idea in the house. Having said that however...that morning there were kids with their loose dogs and goats (yes, goats) walking down our street. My dogs started running the fence. I called them in; they came as called and I shut them in the house so they couldn't get back out to the fence. Frustration? Could that have been the spat initiator? Maybe.
As you can see, Heidi does tell the others that toys are hers. I have to manage that and do not allow her to take toy from someone else. If she does that, I'll verbally correct her, take the toy...give it back to B or B; then hand her another toy.