Puppies Can Drive You Crazy!

Pauli is at the exasperating age - full of energy, endless enthusiasm, and a desire to be Doing Something. She pesters the adult dogs who are amazingly patient, trips me, shreds any piece of paper that reaches the floor, thinks everything is a toy, and tries to do laps in the family room. She's the kind of dog that would benefit from a large fenced yard rather than my small city lot. She wants to RUN. When she gets too annoying she gets a Time Out in a dog crate until she settles down a bit. Helps a lot! She'll grow up to be a good dog someday, but in the meantime I grit my teeth, admire her good looks and the attitude that will make her an excellent show dog, and wait it out.

One of the problems is that I like the boys. I've always preferred male Dals. The things that were cute when Argus was growing up are annoying in his daughter!

I was concerned when Sid passed that Argus and Watson might have problems trying to decide who was next in line, but things are as peaceful as can be. No two dogs can live as equals, but I haven't a clue yet as to whether Watson or Argus is the dominant one. Had assumed it would be Argus, but the boys give me no indication. They still get along perfectly, with no jostling for rank. It's a rule here that we only keep dogs that can live peacefully in my mini-pack. We don't keep dogs separated, and they all run together except when one of the girls is in season. Even then, the males must live peacefully. That's true for the girls too - no bitchiness. Coral and Josie were perfect about Tess coming to stay, and Pauli loves everyone. Tess fit in well which was good, and will eventually go home to live with several other adult bitches.

It's very important when living with a group of Dals that they understand who is in charge. Dals are pushy as a breed, and if a person is not willing to run the show, one of the Dals will be glad to take over and that is NOT a good situation. Dals thrive on structure. They like routine, knowing who is in charge, what the rules are, and what to expect. It makes them feel comfortable and secure. Any change to the household creates a unsettled situation, so it will be interesting to see how the boys work through this.