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by RLHAR on 10 February 2010 - 17:02
Well it seems we're having chaos on the board today so I figured I'd go with a sweet story to off set the angst.
So often on this board we hear about dogs not getting along and that's okay, we're here to ask for and to get advice in such situations. I guess I've gotten lucky to see the other side of the coin.
As many of you know my household currently consists of a 3 year old Czech spayed bitch and a 10 year old English bred Lab spayed bitch. Despite what many would say were the odds against, they have become best friends. They snooze on the couch, butt to butt -or with a human in between if we insist- and watching them wrestle is ... interesting.
See, I've seen my GSD girl play with other GSDs. Her 'play' mode is to go for the legs with her mouth, get another dog down and then close on the throat. With the Lab though, I have never seen her go for the legs. The old girl is arthritic in her legs and I worried at first that too rough play might hurt her but never has my GSD gone for the legs. They lightly box with their mouths, sometimes rear up and hug each other but usually it's just light teeth to teeth 'bantering' if you will.
It's also interesting that the GSD never initiates the play. She'll politely 'ask' some times with a little muzzle bump but if the lab turns and walks away, that's it. It's always the older lab who will roll on her back if she's in the 'mood' for a tussle and then off they go!
In these times of turmoil, it's just sweet to see respect for our elders so to speak from the canine world.
I love my dogs.
So often on this board we hear about dogs not getting along and that's okay, we're here to ask for and to get advice in such situations. I guess I've gotten lucky to see the other side of the coin.
As many of you know my household currently consists of a 3 year old Czech spayed bitch and a 10 year old English bred Lab spayed bitch. Despite what many would say were the odds against, they have become best friends. They snooze on the couch, butt to butt -or with a human in between if we insist- and watching them wrestle is ... interesting.
See, I've seen my GSD girl play with other GSDs. Her 'play' mode is to go for the legs with her mouth, get another dog down and then close on the throat. With the Lab though, I have never seen her go for the legs. The old girl is arthritic in her legs and I worried at first that too rough play might hurt her but never has my GSD gone for the legs. They lightly box with their mouths, sometimes rear up and hug each other but usually it's just light teeth to teeth 'bantering' if you will.
It's also interesting that the GSD never initiates the play. She'll politely 'ask' some times with a little muzzle bump but if the lab turns and walks away, that's it. It's always the older lab who will roll on her back if she's in the 'mood' for a tussle and then off they go!
In these times of turmoil, it's just sweet to see respect for our elders so to speak from the canine world.
I love my dogs.
by beetree on 10 February 2010 - 17:02
What a nice story! 
by LAVK-9 on 10 February 2010 - 17:02
Thats a great story.I wish that the females I had would have got along. I have 2 males(intact) that get along and sometimes it sounds like 2 bears fighting but it is all vocal and the teeth bantering thing.Then it is quiet (cause they are tired) and they are snuggled up the little one using the other ones butt as a pillow.As you said butt to butt on the couch with me squished in the middle. Now only if the new male I got would get along with him.I got him at 2 and he didn't have the best of life before I did so it is a work in progress.
~L~
~L~
by Sunsilver on 10 February 2010 - 19:02
My first GSD developed spondylitis in her spine, and eventually had to be PTS when she could no longer walk. As she grew weaker, my friend's young collie mix would lie on the floor (sphinx position) to play with her. There would be lots of 'wookie noises' then some loud sneezes as they bashed their muzzles together and sparred. It was really touching to see how gentle he was with her!
by Slamdunc on 12 February 2010 - 19:02
Rlhar,
Did you get your GSD as a pup? That is awesome that they get along like that. It's nice your GSD has some respect for the older dog. Your GSD is a nice dog.
Jim
Did you get your GSD as a pup? That is awesome that they get along like that. It's nice your GSD has some respect for the older dog. Your GSD is a nice dog.
Jim
by RLHAR on 12 February 2010 - 20:02
Jim,
Yes I got my girl at 12 weeks, she's now coming up on 3 time flies but thank you, I love her temperment. When we were down at the beach and the other lab kept jumping this older bitch I have now, she (the older bitch) started to hang around my girl more and more, literally for protection. My girl won't start anything but she wasn't about to be bullied either.
I'm getting a second GSD, a male who's 5 months, should get him shipped next week. The snow here has skewed travel plans like crazy.
Yes I got my girl at 12 weeks, she's now coming up on 3 time flies but thank you, I love her temperment. When we were down at the beach and the other lab kept jumping this older bitch I have now, she (the older bitch) started to hang around my girl more and more, literally for protection. My girl won't start anything but she wasn't about to be bullied either.
I'm getting a second GSD, a male who's 5 months, should get him shipped next week. The snow here has skewed travel plans like crazy.
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