I notice that Bonnie can get a bit possessive of whoever is on the couch. When she's sitting on a lap and Maddie comes near, her lip curls. I haven't let it go any further than that.
What to do to nip this behavior in the bud? This is what we came up with. Anytime that anyone wants to sit on the couch (hoomans) and the girls want up, Madison gets up first and gets first choice of where she wants to be. Then Bonnie can come up. If Bonnie is on the couch and we want to sit down and Maddie wants up (we have to pick her up), I am dismissing Bonnie from the couch until Maddie chooses her spot and then Bonnie can come up. The trouble starts if Bonnie is on a lap and Maddie wants up, then Bonnie gives her the stink eye.
Do you think this is a good technique or can you suggest anything? No bloodshed on my shift! :D
We went off leash at the park behind our MH park. Both girls loves it and Bonnie would run off but then come back to us, as if she were checking in. She is such a good girl and the girls don't seem to mind each other when they are outside. Just a little tense when a seat is presented.
My digital camera has a dead battery, darn it. I think I have a disposable camera around somewhere. I'll see if I can get some pictures this weekend. She's still tense and doesn't look like the happy dog I know she can be.
Thanks in advance for any advice. My first foster and I'm a little nervous about squabbles and nasties.
Sandi
Sandi, if Dan and I were fostering, and we had just one other dog, I think we would assign the dogs a human, rather than let them duke it out. Have your hubby hold one, and you the other, don't let it even get to the lip-curling stage. YOU call the shots, not the dogs.
No blood shed yet - that is a great sign - LOL !!!!
Its still early on... Bonnie is still curious as to what is going on. You will see more and more of her personality as she gets more comfortable.