Bo is being a good example to Daisy. He sits for his leash to be put on, and she started doing it yesterday afternoon. He sits to get a treat so she started sitting to get a treat. The little skirmishes over food haven't occurred today. For meals I let him go to his spot, put her dish down on my way to his spot, and then everyone has their own space and she is busy eating so she doesn't follow me to his bowl. They actually ate and drank out of the same bowl sometimes without incident, it was the treats that seemed to be a trigger. He still tries to steal her "rawhides" because he gulps his down, but I can retrieve it and give it back to her so long as I watch to make sure he doesn't do it again.
There have been a couple of accidents (poop) but she's only four months old and has only been in this house for 2 days, so I'd say she's doing well. I've been having Bo bark at the door when he needs to go out and he's getting more reliable about that.. most of the time I know he's at the door, but on the off chance that I'm not there to see it or don't feel him get out of bed I want an audible cue. He doesn't seem to have any interest in ringing a bell, she supposedly did but has only done it once. So I'm hoping she will continue to emulate him, and when she needs to go out, instead of whining softly and looking out the window, she'll eventually learn to go to the door and bark too. Of course Bo goes so often that most of the time she won't need to let me know she wants to go out...
Bo is still jealous when anyone else has the audacity to play with a toy, his or not. He's not aggressive about it, just sneaky. Even if he has a toy in his mouth, the toy he wants is the one someone else has taken an interest in. Once he gets it, he trots off to the mancave with his treasure.
He was determined to have the skunk toy, so they had a little tug-o-war. Last night though, I was proud of him. After bedtime Daisy started gnawing on a bone and he stayed curled up and didn't try to take it from her, just groaned because he was trying to sleep and she was making noise. And to her credit after I told her is was night-night time a couple of times she stopped and went to sleep. We even seem to be able to skip the 6:30 am potty break now that she's here. Yesterday we slept until 10 am, today we woke up after 9 am. Color me surprised. So she is probably helping him as much as he is teaching her.
Here Bo looks on pitifully since he has already finished his "rawhide" and is attempting to find an opportunity to steal hers. I was watching or he would have jumped up and started sniffing her mouth, biding his time until he could dart in and take it... which he did later, so I retrieved it from him and gave it back to her. She takes her time and enjoys the rawhide.
Haven't seen the bluebirds around much lately but today this one made an appearance. Plump little thing.
Lady Richelieu
Sleeping Daisy
Bo ball
So we play a bit, we nap a bit. Sometimes we play gently, sometimes there are playful growls, sometimes it's like a herd of wild horses are galloping through the house. The only time I stop it is if I hear a whine because someone has gone too far. They entertain themselves mostly, splitting their time between the living room and mancave. Sometimes they want attention from me and I make sure I pay attention to them both. We try to go for walks... that's hit or miss. Leaving the house they're pretty well behaved. Coming back they start to roughhouse and it's hell trying to get them back in. Hopefully the front lead will help with that to some extent, especially with her. Bo is stubborn but easier to control, she is like a freight train, it reminds me of walking Romulus.
Bootsie is letting her get closer but he still arches up. Walter keeps his distance. I did get Bootsie to come in and eat this morning, and yesterday both cats came in through the front door. I had both dogs eating so they'd be distracted. Life is getting a little easier, and I have to admit that Bo having a playmate gives me a little freedom and I think he's happier.
This happened this morning when the garbage men came: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS7xjd2S1U8
