Settled In

No more "Stop touching me!"

Adding a new dog (or a new cat, too, I suppose) to an established family requires prudence and patience. There will be transitional tangles. With dogs it is about each one figuring out where the newcomer fits into the existing social structure.

Rio and Wavorly, our resident hounds, experienced this with us when we brought a two-year-old girl with a mending leg break (Wavorly) home to begin a new situation with a (sometimes) grumpy, eight-year-old boy man (Rio.) Now, two years later, they are best buds.

We experienced the same adjustment period when Bella came to stay with us. Posturing, barking, growling, and other expressions of dominance were displayed by everyone. (Well, not Lydia or me, for the most part.) No real aggression or animosity, just boundary testing.

Gradually, as the dogs figured things out and negotiated in a way that dogs do, tensions have settled a great deal. This scene pictured here is evidence of how far things have progressed. Yes, Bella's and Rio's paws are touching.

As Leela might say, "ahhh that's sho shweet!"

Personality

Now that Bella has been a part of our family for a month her personality is coming out. It is quite stressful on any dog entering a new environment. I wish I could convey that everything is going to be all right, that she will be well cared for. The only way to do this is to let time pass.

Now that is has Bella has relaxed. She has learned the house routines, where she fits into the family. Now she is less stressed and a lot of fun to be with. She is a wonderful companion. She loves riding in the car and is the best of the three dogs at getting into the car. She has a sweet prance when we are walking/running and is quite content to keep with the pack. She prefers to walk with Wavorly.

We are starting a bit of training with her. We did some "COME" training in the back yard, which is a fun, fun game that can pay dividends if she gets loose. (The "COME" game is played with 2 people who stand apart from each other. One gives the command "Come" and rewards the behavior with absolutely yummy treats and a big party. Then the other person at the other end of the yard gives the command and rewards. The dogs love to run back and forth, hopefully associating good things with the word, come. This has come in handy if one gets loose.) Bella thought running back and forth was the best game. We are also asking her to touch my hand before she gets breakfast. This is coming along slowly. It's not that she doesn't get it, I don't think she sees much benefit to it.

So there you have it, it's been a fun month so far. Can't wait to see what the next month will bring.