Getting Along

The most common question we've been asked so far is, "Is everyone getting along?"  My response is always some variation of "Of course!  We would allow for nothing else!"  I realize that to some my answer may sound overly optimistic or confident, or even clueless as if I am completely unaware of dogs fighting.  I am confident, and I am aware of fighting among dogs, but I do not believe I am overly optimistic.  I believe I have have been preparing My Pack for harmony from the moment each member arrived.

There isn't one particular thing I've done since Atticus arrived to ensure harmony.  Our family's harmony is a family value!  To be My Pack's Leader, I have had to earn each member's trust, and I have worked to do that by being fair, being kind and by protecting him and her.

Foster Dog arrived a year and a half ago.  We helped him adjust to the new family dynamic by always being fair.  We do not allow one dog to take toys from another.  We do not allow one dog to intimidate another to force one to move from a favored bed or location.  We do not favor one dog over another by showing more affection, allowing differing behavior, or giving more treats.  We also do not give treats and praise based on seniority.  We reward good behavior from whomever it comes.

Jason makes special shakes twice per week.
Each dog receives a sampling.  What one dog gets, all dogs get.
Atticus received his first, and chose to enjoy it by Fosse.

We are also kind.  When a canine family member arrives, there are bound to be a lot of "No"s.  I don't yell, "Noooo!!!!" for every infraction.  I not only try to show what behavior I want instead of yelling No, I save the big "Noooo!!!!" for things like counter jumping.  When Atticus went up the stairs without permission, I did not yell, "Get your butt back down here! Atticus, COME!"  I said, "Attie, come down here, buddy.  Come on," and he came down the stairs.  I said, "Good boy buddy.  Stay down here with me," and then I blocked the stairs so he couldn't make that mistake again.  When he showed curiosity with upstairs again by trying to scale the barricade, I calmly said, "No, Attie.  Come over here," and I interested him in a toy to chew on.

Atticus & Foster Dog chewing on high value items.
Next to each other.
By choice.
On Day 2.
I love my family.

When Foster Dog first came to us, he was underweight and unsure.  I would cover him with a thick fleece blankie when he relaxed, and he'd tuck his nose under.  So cute!  He was sweetly accepting of the kindness, and could feel both physical warmth and emotional trust created by Me.  The kindness bonded us.

When Fosse first came...My Little One...

Possibly the most important way I've earned My Pack members' trust is by protecting them.  While my safety provisions of seat belts are not overtly appreciated, I keep My Pack safe in great part with supervision.  Luna and Foster Dog have free reign of the house while I am gone, but since Atticus' arrival, he has not been unsupervised.  When I have had to be away from home, Atticus has gone into a crate.  This keeps him safe and it keeps Luna and Foster Dog from having to witness his TomFoolery!  When I am home, I supervise Atticus and work to teach him how to behave at home.  Luna and Foster Dog see this and hopefully feel protected from the shenanigans of a new dog who is learning about not jumping on counters, not busting out of doorways, and not howling at chipmunks.

Something I've done hundreds of times, and continue to do, is probably one of the most powerful.  When the dogs and I are out walking and a less than well-behaved dog enters our happiness bubble, I direct my dogs to my side farthest from the less than well-behaved dog.  I become a barrier and I am protecting My Pack.  They see that, and feel it, and it bonds us.  They trust me to block whoever is not safe, and to allow  around us only those who are safe.

Atticus is allowed around us, with supervision, and he's learning The Ways.  Hopefully he's learning that I am fair, kind, and will protect him.  So far he seems pretty comfortable, and Luna and Foster Dog seem pretty accepting.

They all fit on one dog bed.
This was on Day 3.

It's A Boy! Atticus joins The Pack!

I've been working at a dog training/boarding/day care business for six months.  It has been a busy busy six months including a lot of doggy slobber and snuggles.  Everyone has her favorites that bring excitement and happiness to the day, and then we say goodbye.  Twice per year, a group of shelter dogs lives at the kennel while they participate in an 8-week obedience program called Teacher's Pet.  Through Teacher's Pet, shelter dogs are matched with school-aged children who work with their dogs two days per week.  The children gain confidence, compassion and school credit, and the shelter dogs become more adoptable upon completion of the obedience training.

The shelter dogs usually come soon after school starts in September.  In late September, I wondered why the dogs had not yet arrived.  We learned that we would have to select the dogs and they would arrive in mid-October.  Five adorable dogs arrived, and we loved them all.  So sweet. So cute.  Great diversity.  Just adorable.

I am asked in a number of ways at least 40 times per year if I want another dog, know someone who wants a dog, if I can foster a dog just until someone finds a new place to live, gets through a divorce, settles into a new state or job, etc., etc., etc.  I have no problem saying, "No."  I know when to say, "No."

I took care of the shelter dogs for weeks without feeling any unusual connection.  Two "Big Dogs," and three "Puppies."  Each sweet and showing its individuality, but no connection felt, until one day...  I walked into the "Big Dog" room and though I had interacted with "Harlan" many many times, we truly saw each other for the first time.  We literally locked eyes and he said to me, "My name is Atticus.  I belong to you."  As we continued to look to each other, I said out loud to all the other Big Dogs around us, "Did you guys just feel that?"  It was truly tangible.  I tried to ignore it.  Our foursome felt perfect, but I had noticed that it also felt as if someone was missing.  I had said our family wasn't full; I thought I was missing Koko and Satchel, but that kind of missing feels differently.  I tried to talk myself out of it.  He stayed on my mind.

My name is Atticus.  I belong to you.

I asked a co-worker to take a picture so I could talk to J about him.

He was so strongly on my mind, I talked to J about him.  Every concern I brought up, J made evaporate.  Every co-worker I talked to about him saw him with completely different eyes.  The efforts to deny Atticus' place in our family were weak.  He was ours.  The Pack has expanded.  We are now a Family of Five.

Seatbelted and on his way HOME!

On our first walk as The Pack