Auntie Al’s Dog Training Services
A Gentle Touch - Outstanding Results
604-868-0341
Alix Balfour - Trainer
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Auntie Al’s Dog Training Services A Gentle Touch - Outstanding Results 604-868-0341 Alix Balfour - Trainer
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Quit Hogging the Blanket! When I take Chico to visit in other people’s homes, I usually take his portable dog bed. The bed is placed in an area where Chico will be out of the way but he can still see the goings-on and not feel like he’s being left out. I attended a gathering recently knowing that a very large Golden Doodle would be there. The Doodle is a youngster, full of energy and interest. He and Chico know each other and even though the Doodle could squash Chico easily, the dog respects both Chico’s position and my authority and says hello politely then lets us be. I saw the gathering as an opportunity to teach both dogs to share close quarters. Rather than take Chico’s bed, I took his blanket which spreads out to cover a much larger area. When I first put it on the floor, Chico took his place on it. I invited Zizou (Zee Zoo) to join him. Zizou took one look at Chico and politely declined. To the untrained eye, nothing would seem amiss but to look at Chico was to see a veiled “Oh yeah, I dare ya”. Although Chico was lying down, the down wasn’t fully committed. Instead, Chico demonstrated stiff body posturing; a line of light showed beneath his belly, he held himself up on his elbows and forelegs. Keeping the mood light, I gently laughed at his posturing and asked him to get off the blanket. Once cleared, Zizou was willing to lie down but also did not fully commit. Rather than take up the whole blanket, which he could have easily, he instead lay with his chest and forelegs on, his belly and back end off. I then commanded Chico, “On your bed.” Chico had no problem with hogging the blanket!
1) Both dogs are displaying calming signals. They are pulling their chests and heads back and away from each other. Chico is tense. Tail held flat, back leg stiff, eyes squinty; he looks like he'd rather not, thank you. 2) In this photo, Chico brings his head up and relaxes a little, causing Zizou to pull back further. Zizou is also reacting to my having come closer with the camera. Zizou is the more uncomfortable of the two. 3) Now that I am no longer in Zizou's face, he relaxes. Chico too but not yet completely. His hind leg is now tucked in and he puts his attention fully on Zizou. Both dogs are feeling more safe and secure. This is the first time Chico and Zizou have shared a blanket. Given time and opportunity, they will lie together comfortably in brotherhood. "Good on your bed. Good boys." |
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