Weird shift in group dynamics
Setting the stage for the new members.......... Miss Ellie, sweet, loving, playful, never met a stranger or dog she didn't like, that turned into the evil guardian, twist at the end of the leash, dog sniping bitch when we lost our old boy Oliver and Buffett came to live with us. Months with a private trainer did little to change Ellie's attitude. Buffett, Mr. Neurotic who arrived with a full load of anxiety and issues 4 years ago, has slowly improved. He no longer hide's in a corner, and will approach strangers, but on his terms. He still jumps when someone walks up behind him and his anxiety in the car is palpable. Other dogs, well, for the most part, if they are nice, he's nice, unless they walk up from behind and scare him.  Miss Ellie & Buffett: The energy between them when on a walk is terrible. All it takes is seeing another dog or a bark behind the fence, the energy builds and they will go at each other after they bounce at the end of the leash a couple times. Separately, they are manageable with just a small correction. In the house, no worries unless Buff thinks Ellie is getting too bitchy. Then he will head butt her or go to bed. Margie: Could care less, just throw the ball. I've had plenty of free time the last 8 months, being unemployed does that. One of my projects was to work on getting Buff and Ellie to be more socially acceptable.  I started by taking each to the dog park separately for a while. Then I started taking two at a time. Couple months ago it progressed to all three together. Buffett became more comfortable with other dogs, more accepting of the social sniffing and such (except for the day he was surrounded by 7 miniature schnauzers and 2 Shih Tzu’s, the look on his face was priceless  ). Ellie was still taking the lead, bossing or sniping other dogs. Margie, well, it's all about the ball.About a month ago I started to notice an interesting change. High energy is a trigger for Ellie. If another dog runs the fence and barks as we come into the park, Ellie is right there feeding the frenzy, running barking snapping (brave with a fence in between). Buff will join the fray but once he see's it's not an attack, he calms down and will correct Ellie if she continues. His correction depends on Ellie's energy and response. It can be as mild as a head butt and as severe as a full take down. Initially, I thought Buff was being a jerk and I corrected him. Then I noticed with each visit Ellie was starting to watch Buff carefully and was taking "social" cues from him. All of the forum folks that have been here a while know the ongoing saga of Buff and Ellie. I'm positive Miss Ellie decided she had to take over the leadership role when Buff arrived because he was an emotional train wreck. Miss Ellie is not and should never be the Alpha. Now that Buff is becoming more secure he seems to be taking over the lead roll and telling Ellie it's time to step down. Lately, at home, Ellie has moments of being almost puppy like, rolling upside down on toys and initiating play, being cute and cuddly. My dogs seem to be working out their social graces, which has left me clueless on how I should participate in the training. Except Margie, I just throw the ball.  |
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Quote: Now that Buff is becoming more secure he seems to be taking over the lead roll and telling Ellie it's time to step down. Thinking this is exactly what she needed. Did Ellie follow Oliver's lead? Wondering if she took her cues from him. Without him there to take the lead, maybe she felt she had to. Some of us are just better followers than leaders.  If you can get Buffett to settle quickly when they're getting riled while on a walk, I wonder if Ellie would then calm too. Sometimes when two dogs are acting like knuckleheads, you can't get control over one but you can the other and you can diffuse the excitement.Quote: Except Margie, I just throw the ball I've got a dog like that too  And she rules with a gentle mouth.Those ball dogs are really special.  |
6Girls wrote: Quote: Now that Buff is becoming more secure he seems to be taking over the lead roll and telling Ellie it's time to step down. Thinking this is exactly what she needed. Did Ellie follow Oliver's lead? Wondering if she took her cues from him. Without him there to take the lead, maybe she felt she had to. Some of us are just better followers than leaders. If you can get Buffett to settle quickly when they're getting riled while on a walk, I wonder if Ellie would then calm too. Sometimes when two dogs are acting like knuckleheads, you can't get control over one but you can the other and you can diffuse the excitement.Ellie was always, happily in Ollie's shadow. A born follower. Buff is coming into his own at the dog park because it's a known quantity. A walk changes everyday, never knowing who we will meet, what dogs will be out, etc. I'm not sure we will ever get good energy during a walk with both dogs. But, I will keep trying, Buff has come a very long way and I think he can do more. 6Girls wrote: Quote: Except Margie, I just throw the ball I've got a dog like that too And she rules with a gentle mouth.Those ball dogs are really special. Our little OCD ball girl. Such an odd little pup, but very endearing. |
So glad to hear that things are getting better  Kudos for your determination! I wish more dog owners had the patience and unconditional love you do for your dogs. We'd see a lot less dogs in pounds and rescues if that were so. |
| Sometimes we have to step back and watch them work it out. There are squabbles and take downs, even mouths full of hair, but if there's no blood...or minor damage then I prefer to sip a cup of tea and let them handle it. The trick is to be able to spot when problems are brewing and stopping it immediately........doing the pack leader thing. It's better when there's a dog who is calm but assertive and can diffuse a situation. Your working with them, being the leader on the walks, and probably doing some obedience as well is giving them the structure in the pack they need. Margie already knows you are her goddess, the keeper of the ball, so she's probably OK. The others work it out as they become more comfortable in the pack structure. Loosing a pack member, especially if it was the calm leader is very hard on the pack. You have to double your efforts in letting them know all is well and your are in charge first, and loving second. |
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