One of your dogs is injured, but you have two (or more) dogs. How are you going to handle this?

As I am writing this I am sitting next to my two dogs. They are both lying down, but Rio unfortunately is wearing one of those very cumbersome Elizabethan collars.  She just underwent surgery a week ago and we are looking at to 8 -10 weeks of lying low with little in the form of physical activity and lots and lots of management.  On the other hand, Deuce is not recuperating, and as such, he is ready to do what we do every morning - chasing after the ball or hiking.

Yep, sometimes I am overwhelmed.  I am constantly having to plan when and how to go from one activity to the next while working with clients as I try to keep my sanity. I guess this is a good example where I need to really dial up my “Zen”.  Zen in taking some time to take stock in how to move Rio safely from one spot to the other, in remembering to wrap her cast when it’s wet outside and she needs to go pee in a hurry.
Zen,
Having systems in place is very helpful.  My systems include ways by which I can keep all the medication times and dosages straight. The same goes in planning what to do with her when I am outside exercising Deuce. Instead of throwing it all in at the last minute, I establish new routines. Simple things such as Rio not being able to eat out of her customary food bowl, can really wreak havoc on the list of do’s & don’ts that we need to follow for her recuperation.

Besides deciding what kind of activities she can still do so that she gets some mental stimulation, and as best as possible keeping her life as intact as possible, I also make sure I follow the household routines for Deuce.

Yes, there is also the emotional component:  it is hard to go play with your healthy dog (s) while the other one rests in her crate. When I feel a bit down I quickly remind myself of our ultimate goal behind the surgery:  Rio will be able to do all the activities she loves to do, but with being pain free. I even tell her (more for my benefit, mind you, than hers) that this is not her new life, just her new life for right now and that we will get through this together by focusing on what needs to happen and keeping the eye on the big picture: no (more) pain and back to lots of fun as we did before.

It is also important to take stock of activities that both dogs can enjoy such as chewing a tasty bone, getting some one-on-one training or even getting brushed for tasty treats.

I cannot say this enough, slowing down has been tremendously helpful in keeping my sanity as well as rolling with the punches. Of course, it helps when John can then dedicate some one-on-one attention to both dogs.

A solution, of course, is one can also hire competent help when the need arises. Perhaps someone that can stop by and give Rio a break from the plastic (hideous) cone and take her out to eliminate.  Or what about having a favorite person read a story to her, while Deuce and I go sheepherding?  Or having someone come to take Deuce for a walk?

It is important too to not underestimate physical touch and closeness. In my case, one of my dogs wants it because she is not feeling totally “normal” and the other is stressed due to thunder in the vicinity. I take a big sigh and relax into my role of caregiver as I gravitate like a tired planet around the sun between the two dogs, delivering words of encouragement as well as some TTouches. 

My Toy

Deuce can be a picky eater. Sometimes he wakes up with not much of an appetite so eating is not high on his list. Rioja, on the other hand, would eat all day long if I let her. This morning I thought Deuce would be really hungry and sure enough he went to his bowl and ate a portion of his meal. The rest I was planning on dispensing via toys.

Rioja got her toy and was having a blast with this new rolling ball extracting pieces of kibble left and right. Deuce was watching at a distance with his own “favorite” kibble dispensing toy at his feet. Rioja ignored him, but continued to work with her toy.

At one point, Deuce dashed across the kitchen whining and “complaining” to Rioja. Once he got to where she was, he stared at the toy as if he had been with the toy all along and Rioja just got there. I approached and asked Deuce to come to me. He continued to complain to Rioja while I went to fetch his toy. I decided to switch toys (what a softy!) giving Rioja Deuce’s pin and Deuce the one Rioja was working on. I knew Rioja could not care less which toys she gets as long as she gets food and she gets to do something fun.

Now back in “his corner” Deuce is ignoring the second toy and went back to Rioja wanting her toy once again. Okay, no more I thought. I escorted Deuce to his mat also in the kitchen as Rioja continued to eat now undisturbed.

Deuce was now laying quietly on his bed when I spotted a small container with some leftover chicken skins from the night before. I went over to Deuce and I gave him the container for him to extract the chicken.

Great. Doggie heaven. Good move I thought! Classical conditioning at its best. What Deuce is learning is that whenever Rioja is playing with one of his food dispensing toys something even better happens to him… “Chicken rains from the sky” instead of eating boring kibble. Change the association with the event (Rioja playing/eating from toy) to a positive one and now you have a dog begging you to bring out that stinky toy so that chicken will again rain from heaven …or from Almudena or… who cares! Just bring out the chicken, please.

The thing with Deuce and his possession for the toys- not so much the kibble is legendary. He used to compete for them with Laika as well. He has become a bit more generous with his toys, but once in while he will still react like a spoiled child… nobody is perfect.

I hear reports from my own clients that their own dogs regularly take toys, bones etc. the minute the other sib abandons the item. Yes, indeed a perfect case of the grass is greener…

Call it a fluke or a greater message from the universe, but at present I am working with four different clients all having issues with their dogs fighting at home. Living with multiple dogs can most definitively be a challenge especially when their friendship deteriorates. Dogs that were once “friends” and who enjoyed each other’s company, used to play and hang out together for some reason(s) begin to fight. The causes
behind the animosity could be many with competition for resource such as food, a person, etc. or a medical condition that one of the dogs has developed are typical reasons for the sudden onset of aggression. When this happens it is possible that without intervention the dogs cannot cohabit without fighting and must live separated at all times- not an enjoyable or easy scenario for anyone involved.

The way to resolve such issues varies, but for the most part the process is lengthy and ultimate management and a tight protocol of behavior modification must be followed until the dogs learn to cohabit harmoniously once again. Myself and other trainers have had success getting our clients and their dogs back on track but on occasion re-homing one of the dogs is really the best option.

I have heard of some trainers and behavioral veterinarians that recommend supporting the “alpha” or dominant dog assuring that once the people are supporting (i.e.: catering) the alpha all things will fall into place. When I hear such advice I clinch… I feel really bad for the family because I had NEVER been able to say with complete certainty or seen any of my clients determine who is the alpha in the dog-dog relationship.

The reality is that while social stratification (of some sort - not always the same) is present in all animals with complex social lives this relationship is fluid and thus changing. It is always in the context of the environment that behavior takes place. For my part, I really value having my personal dogs (or my personal dogs with my board & train client’s dogs) be harmonious. Not only do I remain alert to “disagreements” between them, but also I have established very clear protocols to ensure that everyone feels relaxed, taken care of and abide by the established household rules.

This is the same that I strive to do for my clients with their fighting dogs: establish some clear household rules, and some behavior modification protocols so that hopefully all dogs can remain happily in the home.