Deuce and Rioja are really good friends. Friendships between dogs are very similar to friendships between people or for that matter friendships between people and their dogs - they must be nurtured.
I suspect that Rioja and Deuce are such good buddies for a number of reasons. An example being that they are a good personality match. They are both very social towards dogs, but their personalities are way different too.
Deuce is much more confident in social interactions be it people or other dogs. His good manners towards dogs are legendary. But he is a bit more “cautious” or hesitant in certain environmental conditions such as walking on different surfaces like gravel or even getting on top of one of their beds that resembles a cot. He is also more “reserved” when it comes to physical contact.
Rioja, on the other hand, is more cautious when meeting new people. Slow introductions are better for her. Once she is comfortable with the person, then she is friendly to the point of being demanding. However, she can be a daredevil when it comes to new experiences. I was noticing the other day that she loves to ride in the BW camper we have. Laika hated this thing because it is noisy and because she had to spend way too many hours in it when we took cross-country trips with her. Rioja though, welcomes any opportunity to jump in either the noise camper or in John’s “big” truck.
She is constantly “inventing” new games and curious about everything. Their different yet complimentary “personalities” might be reason number 1 for them getting along so well.
In addition, both dogs are well socialized towards other dogs. They love playing and just hanging out with their own kind.
Reason number 2: They are different sexes - perhaps more natural attraction? Less (sexual)
competition?
Reason number 3: Constant and consistent supervision when we first brought Rioja home. By supervising them closely, I was able to intervene when necessary.
Reason number 4: Which is related to number 3, tight management of “precious” resources. And plenty to go around; which does wonders to keep potential guarding of these resources at bay.
This morning while we were playing soccer and tug, I noticed when Deuce was taking a break under a shaded tree, Rioja ran towards him and just kind of gave him a friendly nudge. They break into mini-play sessions daily and they “read” and acknowledge each other’s body language. In short: excellent diplomats!
Rioja, who adores food & chewies, will wait until Deuce has abandoned his food plate or bone before making a bee-line for a second serving. I think of this as fair game: You abandoned your chewy the other dog can now access it.
Reason number 5:
They participate in daily fun activities. Perhaps the biggest reason behind solid friendships of any kind…is to engage in fun and varied activity with that special someone since when you are having fun, your brain releases bonding chemicals such as oxytocin.
When dogs have close friendships, minor infractions are no big deal. They can easily move on after a “disagreement.” Now, the trick here is to continue to grow the friendship and become aware of that delicate balance of peaceful and friendly interactions and potential frictions. As it is true with most things in life… in friendships, it is much easier to keep a good thing going than fix one that has gone sour.
I suspect that Rioja and Deuce are such good buddies for a number of reasons. An example being that they are a good personality match. They are both very social towards dogs, but their personalities are way different too.
Deuce is much more confident in social interactions be it people or other dogs. His good manners towards dogs are legendary. But he is a bit more “cautious” or hesitant in certain environmental conditions such as walking on different surfaces like gravel or even getting on top of one of their beds that resembles a cot. He is also more “reserved” when it comes to physical contact.
Rioja, on the other hand, is more cautious when meeting new people. Slow introductions are better for her. Once she is comfortable with the person, then she is friendly to the point of being demanding. However, she can be a daredevil when it comes to new experiences. I was noticing the other day that she loves to ride in the BW camper we have. Laika hated this thing because it is noisy and because she had to spend way too many hours in it when we took cross-country trips with her. Rioja though, welcomes any opportunity to jump in either the noise camper or in John’s “big” truck.
She is constantly “inventing” new games and curious about everything. Their different yet complimentary “personalities” might be reason number 1 for them getting along so well.
In addition, both dogs are well socialized towards other dogs. They love playing and just hanging out with their own kind.
Reason number 2: They are different sexes - perhaps more natural attraction? Less (sexual)
competition?
Reason number 3: Constant and consistent supervision when we first brought Rioja home. By supervising them closely, I was able to intervene when necessary.
Reason number 4: Which is related to number 3, tight management of “precious” resources. And plenty to go around; which does wonders to keep potential guarding of these resources at bay.
This morning while we were playing soccer and tug, I noticed when Deuce was taking a break under a shaded tree, Rioja ran towards him and just kind of gave him a friendly nudge. They break into mini-play sessions daily and they “read” and acknowledge each other’s body language. In short: excellent diplomats!
Rioja, who adores food & chewies, will wait until Deuce has abandoned his food plate or bone before making a bee-line for a second serving. I think of this as fair game: You abandoned your chewy the other dog can now access it.
Reason number 5:
They participate in daily fun activities. Perhaps the biggest reason behind solid friendships of any kind…is to engage in fun and varied activity with that special someone since when you are having fun, your brain releases bonding chemicals such as oxytocin.
When dogs have close friendships, minor infractions are no big deal. They can easily move on after a “disagreement.” Now, the trick here is to continue to grow the friendship and become aware of that delicate balance of peaceful and friendly interactions and potential frictions. As it is true with most things in life… in friendships, it is much easier to keep a good thing going than fix one that has gone sour.
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