Brandiandwe

Paige does that too. And then also just because she's in the same room as us. I think it's just a bit of communication - hey, look at me/ look at that/ feed me/ cuddles/ let's go/ let's stop. She's just a chatter box.

Today I followed the advice and 'kept an eye' on what was going on while not stopping it unless it got too much. What I saw was they, they wanted to play together but Paige plays rough. Brandi stood there looking at me like 'Help! She doesn't know the rules'. Then she simply walked over to me and hid between my legs. Paige wandered off. So it looks like they just have different playing styles for now. Horses are easier to understand...

I phrased that poorly. The nice thing is that I am definitely the one in charge. It's getting to the point where a raised eyebrow means a check in whatever is going on, and that accompanised by a clearing of the throat when looking at the offender tends to result in a 'butter won't melt' expression and a casual saunter towards the nearest bed. But they crack me up! Yesterday Brandi grabbed one of the dish sponges from out of the kitchen, ripped it up and planted the pieces right beside Paige's bed. We knew it was her, because Paige was upstairs 'helping' my husband with the computer at the time. But I loved the planting the evidence.

Hi everyone. More advice needed for a novice hound owner. Just over 2 weeks ago, we adopted Brandi. She's been a delight but suffered from some SA, and we loved her, so thought we'd take on number 2. On Friday Paige arrived. Paige and Brandi were fostered together, are within 2 weeks of age (at just under 2) and we thought they'd be perfect. Obviously personalities are still emerging, but I really need some reassurance. Brandi is a complete sook and lacked a bit of confidence when we got her. She loved being with me, attached by the nose to me, statued on walks and was very anxious when left alone. Since Paige arrived, she is still a sook, but has become much more confident on walks and being left alone. Hurrah! Paige is different - much more like a cat at first and quite reserved. She growls at new dogs (Brandi just attempted to hide behind my legs) and growled at Brandi at first. She is more of a 'don't touch the fur' most of the time, but over the last 24 hours, she started eating (a good thing) and has begun asking for attention. She also LOVES her toys and playing. Walking she's a dream on the lead and has tended to take the lead, letting Brandi follow and become a little competitive in terms of being in front. This is not something I'm letting get out of hand, and Brandi tends to be easily distracted by smells and sites - Paige just wants to power ahead, so it hasn't been too bad. Some questions though. I'm not sure who is in charge, it seems to change and it probably hasn't really been settled. However, we've found that we need to feed tham at the same time with one of us in the same room policing Brandi who will push Paige off her food. Paige, however, has snarled at Brandi when near toys (which they are not allowed except under supervision) and then when Brandi went to walk past Paige's bed - which was about three metres away. They hop on and off each others beds all the time, but I thinka toy may have been involved there too. I stood up and walked towards her as she was growling, and then stood then ignoring her. She settled down again, and Brandi continued on her way. This morning in the yard, they started to play together, but it seemed really rough to me. They were muzzled, but Paige was jumping on Brandi and growling, trying to nip her ear and neck. I suspect it was just in play, because when I made a little involuntary noise, both dogs stopped immediately, smiled at me and stood with wagging tails. So, am I being over-protective? Should I discipline Paige for the growling? I did last night when it woke me up, and everyone settled down again. I'm reluctant to stop the growling entirely, especially as Brandi seems to differentiate between those she takes seriously and those she doesn't. And she isn't growling at people. We're off to obedience classes tonight. No toys allowed. They also split up weith people. with Brandi sticking with me and Paige being closely bonded to my husband. But they will lie together on the floor. This is just 'settling in time', isn't it? Am I doing OK?

Batmom, very 'Strayan that 'no worries'. She was left for 4 hours today and I cam home to an accident on the carpet, but it was easily cleaned up and we just need to work on the separation anxiety. There was certainly less mess this time so we are getting there. Thank you all for your help and advice. I know I'm probably over-anxious, and we've had her less than a fortnight but I just want things to go well.

Breakthrough! Potty on the lead this morning. We met a couple of dogs she's seen before and they were all very friendly and playful, but the others were chasing a ball. She got quite excited, and when we left them, bang! (So to speak.) As my husband comments, one small turd for the dog, one giant turd for the owners.

You have no idea how much that comforts me! Thank you! I shall continue working on it, but at least it isn't something I need to panic about. I also spoke to the adopting group and where she was fostered, she was basically in a run all day with no real routine of walks etc, so she is still adjusting to life in a family home. Another small breakthrough today was her putting her front paws into the car by herself. She's making HUGE strides, so I need to be patient.

She could, but two of them in the garden just makes more mess, that's all. If she needs to go there, she can. But I'm also worried if we go on holidays and she's with my parents, she'll need to mainly toilet on walks then, or if we're going somewhere in the car, or whatever. I'll keep with it then and see what happens, aiming for privacy and routine. On the up side, she attended her first obedience class today. Full marks for attention to her name and standing up. She even sat briefly, but it really isn't comfortable for her, so we're working on lying down, which really is playing to her strengths. She was the only dog in the class who spent more time lying on her side with her eyes shut dozing than madly yapping at the end of the lead. She was pretty cool with all the other dogs, with only a couple of freezes, and also disciplined one of the rude dogs in the class whose owner couldn't understand why her poodle's barking, lunging and leaping at her wasn't met with tail wags, and instead met a snarl, and dead eyes. But she came immediately when called away from him (more than he did) and was really a little champion - I'm so proud.

Done to death, I'm sure, but I'd appreciate some help. Brandi has settled in beautifully - we've had her for just over a week and she's divine. We're also adding another hound to the mix later this week which we can't wait for. There's only one problem. She won't pee or poop when out on her walks. She prefers to use a spot in the back garden. The first couple of days she was fine on walks, but now, nothing. We've tried taking her out every hour and not letting her into the garden. She ends up just refusing to go walking. We've tried taking her out the back on the lead and having her go there with cue words. That works in the yard for pees, but not for poos, but doesn't then translate into behaviour on walks. Any suggestions? Is it stage fright? Do I need to be more persistent? She had an accident in the house yesterday, partly due to SA as she was left for longer than she has been before, but it was 5 hours when I had to go to work. She regularly holds for 10 hours overnight and when she just can't be bothered getting out of bed in the morning, so I'd really like to get this sorted.