Hello everyone,

My neighbour, not on line, has adopted a two year old Addison girl. She has always been well cared for but has been in various homes till the former owners relented and allowed this lady to keep her. (They wanted both dogs to go to the same household) Penny is sweet and friendly but a little shy. On the other hand the new mom is having problems with her. She has now peed on her bed - full load - three times. Once during the first ten days both dogs were with her and now twice since she is here without brother Jake. It seems to be happening once a week. The other problem is the somewhat aging mini who has taken to pooping in the apartment since Penny moved in. Molly, human mom, naturally told Mafi, the mini, off as she was cleaning the floor. Problem: Penny came to Mafi's rescue, picked her up as if she were a pup, carried her to the bedroom and would not let Molly into the bedroom until she decided it was safe. I understand that this is a really cute story but I think Penny feels responsible for the pack...I am not a trainer, obviously.

Could someone please send helpful hints that I can pass on to Molly.

Thank you.

Georgina

-- Anonymous, September 11, 1998

Answers

Georgina,

I had an Addisonian girl SP, and her personality DID change after being on Pred. for several months. She became less tolerant of the other dogs here. Your neighbor seems to be dealing with a bitch that does not realize that Molly is the Alpha of the pack, so to speak. I'm not a trainer, either, but I would say for her to solve these problems, she is going to have to establish her place as head of the pack, doing some behavior modification things. She can start basic obedience with her, not let her on the bed, not let her go through doors first, not pet her unless she has responded to a sit command or something like that.

Dodson's book, The Dog Who Loved Too Much, is an excellent book on the subject of solving some of these problems.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 1998