13 Dogs at Dinner ...plus one!

We’re soon to be a pack of 14 dogs …..don’t panic I haven’t got a new dog! We will be looking after our friend Chris’s dog, Tia a fabulous young puppy who is a Poodle cross Border Collie! The reason for this unusual event is that being a young lady, she’s come into season, Chris also has male dogs and being full boys they’re getting edgy and challenging each other for Tia’s attention! My male dogs have all been neutered so no inter-male fighting over a bitch, she’s with me for the duration!

The plan is for her to come over after Peter’s school on Sunday. She does know my lot but has not stayed with us before. So this is going to be “interesting”…..what will my pack make of having a house guest I wonder?!

Usually when one of mine is in season, she pairs off with one of the boys and the rest are kept away by that boy. The contenders for this role are usually Peter (what a surprise hey), Timmy (one of the Jack Russells) and most surprisingly little Jack (the Chihuahua who turns into a gremlin when acting in this role!)

The first job is to get her accepted by the “Boss Lady” - Eddie, the highest ranking female. We’ll walk Tia with Eddie to get them to bond, when Eddie says “Yes” to a new dog in the house the whole pack says “Yes"! Of course, if I say she’s staying for a few weeks, Eddie will say “Yes”…just got to remind her that I am the Leader! Seriously though, it’s vital Eddie approves of the new addition in order for the dogs pack hierarchy to function in the balanced, happy-go-lucky way that they’re used to. How will Eddie do this? - She will put her paws on Tia’s back, use “herding” type behaviour to dominate her and so long as she submits she’s in! Eddie did this the first time they met at Christmas and Tia accepted her as “Boss“, so she just has to remind Tia. To Eddie she’ll be part of the pack…neither of them would know that it’s only temporary!

So watch this space for regular reports on how Tia adapts to life with Crystal Dogs - Drama with the “Eastcoasters” coming soon!