I refuse

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Tink, can't you let Montana nurse some of Canada's puppies?

I was wondering this too, but thought there must be an obvious reason I was missing. lol

[Tink]

I questioned this myself and decided against it for 2 reasons.

The 2 females have been best buddies for years and have always been together. As such, they're part of the same "pack". By giving any of Canadas pups to Montana I'd be upsetting the balance between the 2 females forever. They could very easily learn to hate each other and not be able to peacefully co-exist again. Canada will not give hers up willingly and in taking them from her, I'm also taking her rank as the "top female" or breeder of the "pack".

IF for any reason Montana wouldn't be successfull in nursing the pups after several days, there's a good chance Canada would them refuse to take them back and I could end up with 2 dogs that hate each other, pups at risk, and a long term hierarchy problem that wouldn't mend.

Right now Canada is doing an excellent job and the pups are growing and doing great. I really don't want to mess with that. Pack mentality is not something to be taken lightly.

[AngieDoogles]

Wow Tink! I never would've thought of all that. You are definitely a good Mommy to those girls! I hope you are able to find some pups for Montana soon. I get so sad when I think about her situation...

[Mandy]

Tink, im glad those girls ended up with you, and not some other ignorent person that couldnt care less!! You are doing a wonderful job!

[Tink]

Awwww thanks ladies. I do love my dogs and try to do what I can for them.

I got into studying animal psychology when we had horses. We used to buy weanlings that had never been handled by humans and were just leaving their mamas. Some were docile and willing to attach to the nearest taker. Some were terrified and frantic to avoid us. Some were of the mind that to survive they must defeat us... the old fight or flight mentality animals are known for. So in order to effectively bond with each of the babies I had to learn to think as they do and work around their particular reaction to bring them to trusting and cooperating with me.

I'm sure many would have thought I was nuts if they'd have watched some of the silly things I did to win over the foals. I'd sit for hours on a fallen log in their pasture and just sing quietly to myself. It reminded them I was still there, gave them the chance to approach me and check me out (or not) depending on their state of mind, and let them see others that did come to me getting their ears rubbed, manes nibbled (a greeting in horse language) and actually enjoying it!

The ones who wanted to attack me weren't big enough to really hurt me, so I learned to speak to them in their own language too. I'd wait till they made a threatening move, spin and stomp a foot behind me in their direction to let them know I was capable of threats too... then I'd turn away and ignore them to show them I didn't see them as a threat. If they approached me quietly, I stayed calm and still and let them sniff and get used to my scent gradually.

It was all much more involved than this, but was just fascinating how well it worked. Once I was able to communicate with them in a way they understood, they came around a lot quicker and with less fear.

There was only once that I was actually scared by any of them and that was a young stud who's hormones had just started raging. He'd been a real teddy bear to this point, but one day I walked into the pasture and he decided to challenge me for control. He charged directly at me snorting and shaking his head to let me know it was time for a showdown. I admit my knees were shaking. He was at least 700 lbs by this time and seriously could have beat me into the ground if he chose to. So I froze and just stared him down. He came so close that he slid to a stop and put his nose out and touched my hand. Then he flipped his tail and walked away as if nothing had happened. My not responding told him he wasn't big enough yet to be taken seriously and he accepted that without question because I was the boss. LOL I had to go in the house and check my underwear.

The same kind of stuff works with dogs. If we just remember to use it. It's too easy to try to see them as humans and treat them as such, when in truth, it's us who have to adapt to their ways if we really want to have successful relationships with them.

**getting off my soapbox now** it's one of my favorite subjects obbviously.

[Mandy]

Hats off to you, i would LOVE to study animal psycology!! I might look into it when things have settled down here. Thanks for sharing about the horses, i so enjoyed reading it. You are right, we have to think as they think... several times, ive began reading the dog whisperer, but get distracted every time.

[AngieDoogles]

Wow! That's so interesting Tink. There's a class on animal psychology at my university, but I just don't have the time to take it with my course schedule...