View Full Version : Rio has issues.
so i took kye out for a bit of a run before going and saying hello to rio again. Rio is temporarily set up in my garage, as i'm trying to take a few days to locate an outside kennel-run type thing like Kye's for Rio. i was planning on borrowing one a friend was wanting to sell, but he sold it like last week (which sucks) but i don't necessarily want to buy a brand new one when i'm just going to be building a whole new great big one.
i brought Kye in to the garage on her leash, Rio without (there's only one of me right now) and Rio kinda lost it on Kye. she got right in between Kye and myself and went after her pretty harsh. she pushed herself into my legs as hard as she could and lunged at Kye. and kye, she just wants to play.
i can tell she's completely unsocialized, and i think she's grasping on to me because i'm probably the only person who has ever looked at her as something other than "just a dog", or whatever it is.
and when i say unsocialized i mean with dogs and people, too.
the question here is how do i start addressing these issues? she has shown no aggression or anything to me, but i haven't tried taking her food dish away or anything yet.
it's not so much aggressiveness i don't think as posessiveness maybe, but i don't know squat and have zero experience in dealing with this. i'm determined to help her get over this, cuz i don't feel that i could just hand her off if she's like this towards other dogs. even if someone said they could handle it, how do i know that? no, that's not even an option, although i wasn't counting on this, obviously. maybe i'm not the most experienced person to be helping her get to know dogs and their ways and humans and theirs, but i'll do whatever it takes. i've already anticipated my social life coming to an end, there's just more work to be done now.
i can see where Rio is coming from, i think. but it doesn't make it acceptable.
special
04-20-2009, 08:12 PM
kkye, I know you'll get lots of help and advice here on how to socialize Rio.
You're already on the right track recognizing that she can't help the way she is.
I don't know anything about how to socialize dogs (now, if she was a cat......:)!) but look forward to reading our resident experts' advice, and your experiences working with her will be very interesting.
I will say that patience and consistency will be very important, as they are with anything animal related.
kkye, I know you'll get lots of help and advice here on how to socialize Rio.
You're already on the right track recognizing that she can't help the way she is.
I don't know anything about how to socialize dogs (now, if she was a cat......:)!) but look forward to reading our resident experts' advice, and your experiences working with her will be very interesting.
I will say that patience and consistency will be very important, as they are with anything animal related.
i'm looking forward to their advice too, trust me.
i worry about kye too, i know i can't keep them together right now but i can't justify having one inside and one not, so Kye's in her kennel throwing a fit and Rio is silent in the garage.
what i need to do is have the two of them together in a neutral place or something, even if it's just in the yard because Rio seems to freak more when she's in the garage..but my other lover is working late, and i can't seem to recruit anyone for a walk...so i'm kinda stressing out.
i just want to get started but i don't know where to begin. i didn't take kye with me to meet Rio, but i would have taken her regardless of the way she was with kye, because she needs someone who will try their hardest to understand and help her (aka me) and Kye is just one dog, there are zillions of them for her to learn to get along with, and it is very important. we know lots of dogs, Kye has lots of friends, and i can't have Rio behaving like this nor can anyone else.
i don't want her to ever bite someone, god forbid. this is so important to me, it makes me want to cry! blah.
special
04-20-2009, 08:30 PM
It's bound to be overwhelming at first. You'll have to remember to have patience with yourself too, not just the dogs.
I know you know that training can take weeks and months to show results, it's a long road. But you can do it, and you know you'll get help here, along with encouragement and support.
dogpastor
04-20-2009, 08:41 PM
Kkye --
I think you mentioned the start of it -- getting them on neutral territory and not taking favorites. There is lots of socialization tips on one of the sticky threads, and I would encourage you to check all of that out.
Rio is probably looking at you closely to see what is "OK" and not "OK". Even though you may feel sorry for her, you CAN'T let her continue in bad behavior. If you are firm and consistent, she will respond.
You may want to keep Kye from "playing" with her too rough, because she may not understand it as play, but as aggresion or threat. And after all, it's not what we think they are doing, but what they think they are doing that matters.
I would encourage you NOT to separate them completely, because then they won't learn the socialization they need.
A big part depends on you being in calm, firm control, Easier said than done, for sure. But if you get wound up, the dogs will, too. Kye may take the energy and want to play, where it may scare or threaten Rio. The source of the energy, though, comes a lot from you. Deep breaths. Calm, assertive attitude.
One of the best things is taking walks together. Fast, you-in-control walks will do wonders to help all of you feel better, and do somethign together.
I'm sure you'll get more advice from all the great people here...I hope it gets better, please keep us posted.
Scott
You'll have to remember to have patience with yourself too, not just the dogs.
this is true. i'm just so anxious to get started but like i said i don't know where to begin, and the internet (besides here) is no help whatsoever.
i plan on contacting the owner of the Home Hardware Building Centre, and thy have a pet shop so they allow dogs..i want to ask him if i can take the girls there (indvidually of course) for socialization purposes but of course not right away.
and thank you. your encouragement and support is going a long ways already!
it's going to be a long haul i think, but one day the three of us can go running around with no leads at all, we'll be dancing in our field together! that will be a great great day. also will be a great day when Rio accepts that Kye isn't trying to take anything from her, be it me or her toys or her food or the love she gets. i have to make them both understand that there is more than enough of me to go around.
my boyfriend asks me, "why do you need two dogs anyways?" and i reply by telling him that if i gave him all the love i had, he couldn't handle it! so i gotta even things out somehow, and still satisfy my craving to care for things. my house is full of plants, because i love the responsibility of taking care of them and making sure they look beautiful!
special
04-20-2009, 08:50 PM
it's going to be a long haul i think, but one day the three of us can go running around with no leads at all, we'll be dancing in our field together! that will be a great great day.
A vision definitely worth working towards! you have the heart and energy, this will become reality, I have no doubt
As for you needing another dog, maybe you did, maybe you didn't, but there's no question Rio needs you. and sometimes that's most important.
scott, thanks for your input.
i really do need someone here! i can't control both of them on leashes, i learned that yesterday. and not yet, at least.
i agree with you that Kye's energy scares Rio. but again, i need two bodies to start with this. even when i took kye in there, i knew right away that things were out of control, and my heart started pounding. i couldn't help it.
whew, i can't believe how worked up i'm getting about this..it helps to just type the stuff out.
and here i am feeling guilty that i feel that i need another person here to help me for a bit...i feel quite helpless on the situation actually.
what about what i can do for now? kye's just super happy all the time, wants to make friends with everybody but she's a little overwhelming i'm sure.
i'm more concerned by Rio's perceived (by me) possessiveness of me. she doesn't want kye anywhere near me.
and when we do get out for a wander, would it be better for me to walk one of them as opposed to the other? should i take Kye or Rio? Rio's scared of men, she wasn't too bad with mine but he's a small, less intimidating looking dude. she didn't want to come out of her kennel for him, but she did eventually.
And after all, it's not what we think they are doing, but what they think they are doing that matters.
i agree with you 100% on that.
As for you needing another dog, maybe you did, maybe you didn't, but there's no question Rio needs you. and sometimes that's most important.
...exactly!
should i maybe crate them so they can still eachother? ah i just don't know what to do right now.
special
04-20-2009, 09:05 PM
should i maybe crate them so they can still eachother? ah i just don't know what to do right now.
deep breath! This is only the second day. Everything will be all right. It's only been 24 hours!
I can't advise you on how to place them, not knowing very much about dog behavior, but can remind you to take care of yourself, you will pass your anxiety on to them.
The others, who know, will be along....
haha oh geez, i'm trying.
today must not be my day, my boyfriend had put his personal GPS thing somewhere in the garage, cuz when i came back in Rio chewed it all up. it still works, but i'm gonna be in sh!t!
took Kye for a run and then took Rio for a run and then my boyfrienf's brother stopped by and we were able to take them out on a leash to play.
Rio doesn't really understand this "playing" thing, i think she's just trying to hold her ground but there was no snarling or serious lunging at Kye. Kye is real high energy and she overwhelms and overpowers Rio, but Kye knows how to relate to other dogs, especially ones younger than her, so she's going pretty good with the situation. a little worked up, but i think that's cuz Rio is and i actively practiced taking deep breaths just to try to make things easier for all of us. dunno how much it actually worked for them but it helped me.
i have to honestly say i feel a bit overwhelmed by this all. *sigh*
i got a call back from the trainer but i couldn't really talk to her because we were outside mediating the puppies, so i'm afraid i didn't get to talk to her as i wanted to, and she seemed very interested in what the deal was with my girls, but the conversation didn't really happen. she does have classes starting in May, i'd like to do some private lessons with Kye and maybe group with Rio, or whichever was deemed appropriate. and of course, it all depends on the trainer. i've heard people who like her alot and people who take their dogs all the way to Cold Lake which is an hour and a half away. i'l try the closer one first!
from talking to the husband the first time, i gathered it was $20/hour for private lessons and $200 for an 8-week group course. i'l hafta scrounge and scrimp to get them there.
right now they're crated and Kye carried on for a bit because Rio was right there for her not to play with, but they're quiet now. it was earlier actually during her crying and Rio's occasional bark that i was feeling the most overwhelmed. i feel a bit better now.
oh, the joys to come. that's what i'm thinking of, running in fields and going boating and swimming at the river and everyone will be friends and good and happy.
oh and i guess i should mention that my boyfriend's brother is a pretty big guy, and she did real well considering, he gave her some yummy treats and talked to her nice. i asked him not to praise her when she was afraid, and being a dog person he completely understood. dean took his hand out of his pocket, and Rio completely flinched. poor girl. but during the whole meeting, if he was crouched down, she was pretty close to him, you could see, and he said he could see, the eagerness and wanting in her eyes but such apprehensiveness, and she stayed pretty close to out-of-arms reach.
and, she had a cat collar on. i put Kye's old one on her, but a cat collar? come on.
special
04-20-2009, 11:12 PM
It's gonna be great! My last rescue kitty was abused. it broke my heart to see her flinch and wince, and always looking around to see what was coming at her next.
She moves freely through the house and jumps on the furniture as if it's hers now, but it took time....time.
awe, poor girly. i'm glad you took her, i don't understand how people can do these things to such sweet animals.
Rio is such a sweet, sweet thing. even Kye, how could you just pick her up and hold her in your arms, and then chuck her out of a truck in -20*C into the snow? how??
makes my blood boil.
dogpastor
04-21-2009, 08:54 AM
scott, thanks for your input.
i really do need someone here! i can't control both of them on leashes, i learned that yesterday. and not yet, at least.
i agree with you that Kye's energy scares Rio. but again, i need two bodies to start with this. even when i took kye in there, i knew right away that things were out of control, and my heart started pounding. i couldn't help it.
whew, i can't believe how worked up i'm getting about this..it helps to just type the stuff out.
and here i am feeling guilty that i feel that i need another person here to help me for a bit...i feel quite helpless on the situation actually.
what about what i can do for now? kye's just super happy all the time, wants to make friends with everybody but she's a little overwhelming i'm sure.
i'm more concerned by Rio's perceived (by me) possessiveness of me. she doesn't want kye anywhere near me.
and when we do get out for a wander, would it be better for me to walk one of them as opposed to the other? should i take Kye or Rio? Rio's scared of men, she wasn't too bad with mine but he's a small, less intimidating looking dude. she didn't want to come out of her kennel for him, but she did eventually.
If Kye is that high energy, I think I would run her energy out as much as possible before working with them both. I understand the difficulty of walking both of them (what a handful!) but I encourage you to build up to that as a goal quickly. You need to be in control, and that is the very best way to do it. If you need harnesses or other collars to help, I would encourage you to get them if you can. Besides, this kind of walk with you leading them both will be how you all settle in together "as a pack", as Cesar Milan would say!
If you walk one when the other is there, the other might think you are preferring one over the other. Not true, of course, but dogs have such a ranking mentality. If you walk them separately, I would switch frequently between walking one then the other.
As for Rio's possessiveness, you need to nip that right now. it's unacceptable behavior (she's taking control, and that won't work, even if it is out of fear). YOU are the leader, and if you want Kye next to you, then Rio has to adjust to that. Agian, gotta be firm and consistent. If you give off the "this is how it's going to be, so get over it" vibe, they actually will. It may take some time, but I have done this, and it works. You have to give correction in the level appropriate to the offense - it might be a firm word, or a slight (SLIGHT!) poke. She can't get away with it, though.
You are right on about rewarding behavior (I think you mention it in a later post) - if Kye comes near and Rio doesn't react, praise. If she starts to react, correct, then when she quits (even for a second) praise.
And when Kye calms down and relaxes, praise. Some dogs are more high-strung and high-energy for sure, but you don't have to encourage that, she will be anyway. You can encourage calmer behavior, which will likely make you life with both dogs easier.
Training our puppy right now, I notice how much he really does feed off my energy -- even more than our other dog's energy. That's what you want. Your energy is the difference maker, because of you let either one set the tone, they are the leader, and that just won't work.
Having them "together" but crated is a pretty good idea as well, sometimes, so they can get used to each other in a non-threatening way.
Keep on! You can do it! They are both counting on you to help them make it work, and it will!
Scott
dlaura
04-21-2009, 09:44 AM
I agree with the advice you have already received, but above all remember that you have only had Rio for a few days and she has formed bad habits and has baggage from before coming to you.
As Ceasar Milan always says, stay CALM - but assertive. You would do well to try and catch some of his shows as he has addressed the issues you are having with Rio. It is amazing what he accomplishes by just excersizing the words in the first sentence of this paragraph.
Thank you for rescuing Rio and remember we are all here to lend you support.
Macawpower58
04-21-2009, 10:25 AM
First, if Kye is good in the house, there's no reason to kennel her. Rio being crated is fine, as she is new, and doesn't understand the rules and does not know how to socialize. Are they of a size that you can control them? If so, long walks are the best thing. One dog on each side of you, and a brisk pace with no horseplay. Just walk. Walking creates a pack bond, with you leading.
I'd allow Kye the same treatment she's always had. Do make her behave around Rio, even when she's crated. No teasing, barking, showing attitude. If you want to allow Rio out for awhile, then crate Kye for a short time, so Rio can investigate her new home unmolested.
During interactions, I always leash the new dog, and use my voice and body to keep the older dogs under control. I allow them to come only so close to me and the new dog. I make an imaginary box around us that the other dogs must respect. You'd be surprised how quickly your older dog will get it. You can shrink the size of your 'box' as time goes on, and the dogs become more habituated to each other.
For now, I'd not prescribe her attacking Kye as aggression yet. I'm thinking it was a fear attack, and not a possessive attack. Only time will tell. I'd not allow Kye to 'run up to her' yet. Rio may think of this as an attack, and react out of fear. Pressing close to you is asking for comfort, and protection in my eyes, and not 'possession'. Being new to your home, and having a rambunctious dog run to her, was most likely to dramatic a start. Make the meetings between the dogs calmer. Keep Kye under control when meeting Rio.
If you can't keep Kye under control, then you need to do some quick obedience, and make sure she doesn't traumatize Rio unnecessarily.
hey there, sorry i never got back to you all before now...a very good friend, a former best friend actually, of mine overdosed and died in the early hours of yesterday morning, and needless to say i've been an absolute mess. so very, very sad.
otherwise, all day yesterday (i was sick in the middle of the night..called in and told work that i'd be in in the afternoon...then i got the message about brittany so i took the day off) Rio showed no fear aggression or anything towards Kye at all, she was quite friendly and was wagging her tail almost constantly. our walks were still a little hectic, but we're all getting the hang of it. they're getting over eachother if you know what i mean; Kye isn't so dead set on being as close to Rio as possible, and Rio is getting over her issue with my big ol' bouncy pup. like i said, Kyebosh just wants to play.
i agree that it was probably a bit much for Rio in the beginning, but we're getting better already it seems.
this is alotta freakin work! buuut i signed myself up for it, and no point complaining now..haha i'm loving this actually. i took Rio into Kye's kennel and they basically held me while i cried.
Rio's getting the knack of playing, with both Kye and myself. just happy as can be, playing with toys Kye never took a second look at. she's really good in her crate, i just have to work on telling her to "go to bed" and have her go in there herself. otherwise, i just pick her up and position her in front of it, and she goes in and curls up without a peep outta her.
how do i go about having "calm, controlled walks"?
i'm sorry if i'm just rambling up there, i'm kinda in shock and whatnot. can't even think really.
Macawpower58
04-22-2009, 01:06 PM
how do i go about having "calm, controlled walks"?
Are either of the dogs doing well on walks? By this I mean walking beside you, not pulling ahead, stopping and sniffing at every blade of grass.
If so, put that dog on your weaker side, and the other dog on your strong side. You can move them to the same side after they understand what you want, but you need to be able to control each dog individually first. I use a pinch because the corrections can be very small. Flat collars promote pulling, and chokes just choke them when they pull, and it's very hard to get a choke to release quick enough for a correction. Walk fast, and with deliberance, no lollygagging along. Have a command, I use 'walk' when I'm just out walking. I use the heal command for competitive heeling. Keep a slight loop of leash loose on each dog. Not too long, but not a tight leash either. Tight leashes encourage pulling. It's the law of opposition. They will pull against a pull. As you start, whenever either dog forges ahead, pop the lead quickly, and tell them 'AH' or some such negative. The goal is to discourage their shoulder from being ahead of your leg. Well timed corrections will help them to realize where you want them. Walking fast will keep them occupied and distractions are easier to ignore.
Doing two untrained dogs is a herculean feat. I hope at least your older dog has the walk down, and you'll be able to turn your attention to Rio.
special
04-22-2009, 01:07 PM
Oh dear I am sorry for the loss of your friend, what a terrible thing.
I'm glad you can take the comfort Kye and Rio so willingly and lovingly give. And I'm glad things are going a little better.
In a few months you will be all settled in and be having your dances in the fields! And you better video tape it for us!!!!
dlaura
04-22-2009, 01:27 PM
Oh my, that is awful about your friend. Please accept my sympathies.
Macawpower58
04-22-2009, 01:45 PM
Oh my, I'm so sorry about your friend, I read your post too quickly and feel so bad that I didn't read it better. Please accept my sympathy, I know what it's like to loose a friend.
dogpastor
04-22-2009, 03:38 PM
My sympathies to you regarding your friend.
It sounds like you are getting it, or they are, or a combination of both.
That's really cool, congratulations, and keep it up!
Scott
Wiztherewoz
04-22-2009, 03:46 PM
i took Rio into Kye's kennel and they basically held me while i cried.
That's one of the most wonderful thing about dogs. They're so empathic and so kind when someone is hurting and grieving. They will have been on their best behaviour for you, knowing that you needed them to be.
I am so sorry for your loss, that's so tragic. Hugs. X
thank you all. it's a very sad time around here. and i think they're investigating her death as a "suspicious" one so we'll see. the hard part is that i'm so far from home, and she was my best friend.
becky, Kye does well on walks by herself. i don't have to correct her hardly at all, she just stays beside me on a loose lead.
Rio is like a pull machine. gave her a little tug and said she cringed immediately, waiting for the blows to rain down on her i guess. should i keep correcting her and let her learn that a tug on her neck doesn't mean she's gonna get a smack? or should i try a different approach to correcting the pulling with her? she has had zero training, and i think the reason she's so good with her crate is cuz it's the only thing she's had to rely on, y'know? we're already getting good at the "sit", and everything else is to follow. she seems like one smart chick, this Rio character!
and i should probably add that this is a learning curve for all three of us (of course) but i just want to mention again that i am by no means an experienced dog owner, and i didn't realise the extent of Rio's issues. i recognize that helping her should probably be left to someone who knows what they're doing, but for now i'm the only one she's got, and i'm going to try my hardest and do my best, with both of them.
and ugh, it seems like by the time i finish carrying on with them both individually to reduce some energy levels before going out with the three of us, there's no time left in the day! i was cleaning my house until 11 last night because i was busy with the girls until like 9 when i put them to bed. kye had a little bit of a fit over having to use her crate again, but she got over it and last night was not a problem. she looked at me like "you really want me to go in there eh?" and then she jumped on it, jumped off and went in. silly puppy.
i'm trying, i really am. i really appreciate all the advice, if anyone has any more, keep it coming!
They will have been on their best behaviour for you, knowing that you needed them to be.
i just loved it. i felt like i was in a pile of puppies.
Macawpower58
04-22-2009, 05:32 PM
Kkye, after you gave a small leash correction and she cringed, what did you do? You're next move is important. Did you turn and comfort her? Did you just continue you're walk as though she did nothing? Did the correction cause her to cease pulling, even if for only a moment? Did you continue your walk?
My advice, and it's only advice, is to make the corrections as light as possible. Just until she notices them. Don't turn to comfort her if the correction causes her to cringe. Keep walking. Will a voice tone cause her to slack and watch you? If so, you may not even need leash corrections. It's all trial and error. You need some correction that she reacts to, but not fears. If you walk with only her, sharp about turns (judge how sharp by her reaction) when she forges may get her to slow and watch you more closely. Remember to praise 'calmly' when she is walking nice. If she likes treats, you can also use them to keep her closer to you. You must use trial and error to see what she responds best to.
You may want to work one on one with her for awhile before adding Kye to the walk.
becky, when she flinched like that we just kept walking, and a praised after she was okay again. and yes, she did let the leash slack for a moment. i guess i was too busy making sure i didn' praise the fear that i didn't get her on walking nice (did that make sense?) or would she just have been confused? and we continued our walk until i was done. and she's very intent on me, she's always turning around and lookng at me, so then her leash slacks, and i praise her. please, feel free to tell me if somethng i'm doing isn't going to work, or not work the way i mean it to!
i'm all about constructive critisism here. i want to make it work with these two.
so far, Kye and Rio have their alotted play time together, and they get on real well. It takes a second or two for Rio to realize she knows kye again (or somethng) and then they're all about playing. walking is going good, i usually have someone with one or the other of them with me, and they walk real nice side by side. if one gets ahead of the other, no way. what we've been doing is trying to get the "behind" dog to focus on her walker by doing a sit/down and then waiting to step off (nicely!) and catch up. because when it comes time to catch up, the other one isn't trying to rush to the dog in front, she's paying attention to her walker, and walking nicely.
i'll have more later, work time :)
special
04-24-2009, 01:50 PM
I am so enjoying this. thank you for the regular reports!
Macawpower58
04-24-2009, 03:20 PM
Hum, I've not run across a fearful reaction while obeying. I do think though in this case I'd praise anyway, and hope the dog realizes I'm praising the correct action and not the fear. I'd also try smaller and smaller corrections (down to just a fingersnap perhaps) until I found one she'd react to, but not over react to.
That you have someone with you is great. A great place to practice good walking is large parking lots. I'd go to where the fewest cars are and map out (with your helper) a walking pattern. A square to start, walking opposit directions so the dogs must pass each other, but keep going. Then mix it up so they walk together at times, in front and behind each other at times...etc. Keep your pace very brisk and upbeat. Show Rio you are having a good time. Keep you voice happy, and at a higher tone. Sometimes with sensitive dogs all you'll need is a verbal check, such as 'ah' or 'no'. As soon as she slacks the leash, mark with a 'good'.
Short walking sessions, broke up with play sessions. If she likes tugging, take a toy and play for a short (a minute or so) time. If she is not toy movitated, then just a relaxed petting session can break up the working times.
You seem to be doing well, good luck.
dlaura
04-24-2009, 05:06 PM
It is so nice to hear how well things are going! Thanks for the update! Keep up the good work.
awe, thanks for all the nice stuff you all said. it's encouraging for sure.
we're gonna get there eventually. Becky, i like the parking lot idea! just gotta remember poop bags. and treats.
you know, i've gone from not even being particularly fond of dogs (they always annoyed and irritated me for a reason that i can't even remember anymore) although i have always loved all animals, and when volunteering at the shelter there were lots of dogs there, cute little puppies and all that, but none struck a chord in me like Kye did. probably when i first saw her she was kinda skinny and couldn't even walk on all four legs. they wouldn't release her for adoption or whatever until she had her vet visits nd xrays and all the followup, and there were a few people who were interested apparently. but she came home with me, and i never regretted it. now, there's two, and it's another adjustment to make. but like i was saying, i've gone from being indifferent to completely in love with them, anything "dog" interests me now and i soak it up like a sham-wow!
MandyPug
04-24-2009, 07:07 PM
i soak it up like a sham-wow!
"are you following me camera-man?"
Jesus i hate that guy...
"are you following me camera-man?"
Jesus i hate that guy...
ahaha i was laughing to myself as i typed that.
i fricken hate that guy too. vince.
"you'll be sayin wow every time!"
MandyPug
04-24-2009, 07:14 PM
ahaha i was laughing to myself as i typed that.
i fricken hate that guy too. vince.
"you'll be sayin wow every time!"
He got arrested in Toronto i think... Drug possession or something... Or was it assault... I can't remember
He got arrested in Toronto i think... Drug possession or something... Or was it assault... I can't remember
oh what! too funny.
what do i do with one when i'm working with the other?
is me feeling bad leaving one just a natural thing that i have to work through for myself?
when they're separated, one's crated in the garage and one's in the kennel, and i switch it up. i'm ordering kennel panels for Rio and it's great cuz i can just order more when they can be together throughout the day and need a bigger space.
but right now, i want to keep them apart. they play hard and i want to be there to make sure everyone's okay and neither one is beating up on the other.
Kye, she's such a good big sister. she does this thing with puppies..she will flop on her back or whatever and let the younger dog have a hayday on her. she does it when she can tell Rio is getting tired of playing, or if Kye's been playing too hard and Rio gets discouraged. she just wiggles around on her back and just loves it. Rio does too, i think she likes it when she has the upper hand, as long as Kye lets her! they play pretty fair though.
i just, oh, i just love it! it makes me fill up with so much happiness to see them play together...becky, i have a confession though!
i was taking one out of the garage and leaving the other in, and Rio snuck out and her and Kye went for a tear..right away i was like oh no! but i decided to watch for a minute..i walked out in to the field and they came barrelling towards me and played around my legs the whole time. Rio follows me around much more attentively than Kye does and it encourages Kye to stay close. i'm not about to make it a habit, and i agree with what was said about not letting them run free together until they were older, but i succumbed and let them carry on for a few minutes. they followed me back in to the garage like nothin, but they know the water's in there and they were thirsty!
Rio whipped around at one point and hit a hot water tank my boyfriend has outside (he's a plumber and he disposes of old HWTs) and got a little nick in her face. it didn't bleed, i just figure i'll make sure it stays clean and if it starts to look iffy, i'll take her in. we're going in right away anyways. it oozed a little bit and then clogged up so i think we're okay. my first booboo! I was like OMG YOUR FACE!!! but she's fine.
oh, the joys. i love it!
and just a sidenote, i'm travelling back home to b.c. for the funeral and i'm bringing Kye but leaving Rio with my boyfriend. Kye is a good traveller and apparently Rio gets sick, plus i don't wanna throw it all on her at once, aaand if i want to bring clothes i couldn't fit my bag very good with both of their big crates! well, sure there's room, but i've already decided i'm not taking Rio.
i just don't want to leave my man with the two of them AND the cats AND my fish, AND he's gotta water my plants...can only give him so much responsibility right.
Macawpower58
04-25-2009, 04:06 PM
It's fine to let them have such play sessions, in fact a good idea. I meant don't allow them to run together all day unsupervised. Short play periods are good.
okay i figured as much, they have at least two play times a day. today we've been runnin around outside a little bit..they're both crashed right out in their respective living areas at this point.
Kye was never much of a ball-chaser, nor does she ever play with toys of any kind. Rio, though, has figured that her ball is the best thing ever, and she was quick to learn how to continue the game (drop it at my feet) so she rips out there and Kye chases her. the first few times Rio figured Kye was out to get her ball, but she realized that Kye just wanted to chase her. sooo they just tore back and forth forever.
heh, i could talk about them all day.