Gracie Leigh is fine...

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by judy

Isn't she something? She really does "prance around!" When I pick her up, she lays her head on my shoulder and snuggles real close - She knows how to twist me right around her little paw.

What a sweetie!!! I'm so glad that she's back home and on the mend!!! She's so cute when she's stealing Max's treat!!!!

[Janet]

Aw she is so cute. Now get Max a treat so he's not crying...poor guy in a house of females. Thank you Judy for the pictures.

[judy]

Nope - I have coddled that little boy too much! I decided a few days ago that he's going to have to figure out how to get his own treat back from her. I started to ignore him and he's working up his courage.

Of course, we start out with each of them having their own, exactly the same treat.
She's really territorial and gets yelled at for it.

Any suggestions?

[Tink]

My suggestion might not be well received, but here it is anyway... lol

Dog are very much a pack animal and as such, have a pecking order. They work out who is boss and as long as it's established, they're content. It's when us goofy humans step in and try to "make things fair" that they start to fight and the balance gets upset. One of them needs to be alpha... GL seems to have assumed that position. I say let her be boss and they will co-exist peacefully... encourage him to fight back and they will both be unhappy.

Repeat after me.... they are not human... they are not human...

[DianaB]

I agree with Tink. There is a pecking order in animals and Gracie Leigh has become the top dog. Best to let it be.

[judy]

I know you're both right, but what should I do with Max? He comes to me and whines If I ignore him, he starts barking and pawing me to get my attention.

Should I go get his treat back from her, ignore him, get him a new treat, or just pack my bags and sneak out?

It's not her I don't know how to handle, it's him. He definitely wants me to do something.

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by judy

I know you're both right, but what should I do with Max? He comes to me and whines If I ignore him, he starts barking and pawing me to get my attention.

Should I go get his treat back from her, ignore him, get him a new treat, or just pack my bags and sneak out?

It's not her I don't know how to handle, it's him. He definitely wants me to do something.

I think that I would just get him a new treat. Then you're not threatening her as the alpha dog.

[Janet]

Poor Max!!! Come stay with Aunt Janet for awhile Max, I'll give you all the treats you want.

[judy]

But Max doesn't want any of the 4 treats, bones, toys, etc. that I offer him. He wants the one Gracie has!

I'm trying to watch TV and he's whining and barking for the soggy wet cookie in her mouth when he has 2 fresh new ones in front of him!

Should I just ignore them and make the TV louder?

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by judy

But Max doesn't want any of the 4 treats, bones, toys, etc. that I offer him. He wants the one Gracie has!

I'm trying to watch TV and he's whining and barking for the soggy wet cookie in her mouth when he has 2 fresh new ones in front of him!

Should I just ignore them and make the TV louder?

Sorry, I don't know what to tell ya'. I guess that Max is just going to have to duke it out with Gracie Leigh!!!

[judy]

Yes he is Diana. I've been ignoring his crying as far as intervening. I just pet him and try to sound sympathetic. (and then make the TV louder).

Don't worry Aunt Janet, he's getting new treats when she takes his. He only wants what Gracie has, no matter what I offer him.

She may learn to share better or he may learn that he's just not getting what he wants - she's the alpha.

He does have an alpha personality, but not around her! She's the dominant one, which is how life should be. The female should always be the boss of all things!

Little Miss gets her stitches out tomorrow. Then I get to think of a name to register her with the AKC.

[judy]

Gracie Leigh got her stitches out today. The vet tech was laughing at her - she was yelling her little head off - you'd think it really hurt!

Now I can bathe her and that's the end of that.

Oh, thanks for your advice everyone - Max hasn't come to me for help in 2 days!

[Tink]

Yeah Max! He needed to learn you wouldn't intevene.

[DianaB]

Have you come up with a name to register Gracie Leigh with?? Reuger's registered name is "Diana's Nine MM Reuger". I thought it was pretty cute especially since a "Ruger" is a gun. At least it makes him sound tough!!!!

I think that you should name her "Judyeve's Little Gracie Leigh"!!!!

[Janet]

The only one of mine that has a fancier name is Fancy...her is Knox's Sweet Fancy Free.

I'm glad sweet little Max is happier now. Poor guy. You're right though Judy, the sooner these guys know that women rule and will always rule the better...lol