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I must run this by the people in charge of “the dogs” in my barn—and please think carefully before criticizing the concept of my topic.
You have all heard me for many years—23 to be exact---run off on the topic of 3 dogs in a pen together. When they are puppies you get away with a group of pups together for a long time and then all of a sudden within the matter of about a week they began to kind of pick on each other and it becomes imperative that you do not put three puppies out in a field together or in a kennel together because that will become two puppies picking on the weaker ... it is such a well known fact that I ask you not to argue with me on this topic.
I have also in the last year or so written several articles on trying to see things as the dog would see them whether you're just socializing or training or try to live harmoniously with a dog you sometimes have to look at things through their eyes.
I must continue this concept primarily for the people in charge of the dogs in my barn.. I saw a video yesterday of someone it could be Sharon.? . putting two dogs into the arena.. that's usually a wonderful idea and absolutely no problem accept in this case those two dogs saw it as The proverbial two against one. as one after the other jumped and planted their front feet on Sharon. They were just having a grand time--- it wasn't any kind of attack out of meanness-- it was just “look how big and strong I am and is this some kind of chew toy to play with.. if I could only knock her over then we could really have a grand time dragging her around like some kind of beach towel.. and wouldn't that be fun..”.--- normal dog thought.....
I hate to think what would have happened if she had fallen-- they would have come right in to grab a piece of the action.. which would unfortunately would have been her. it would be my guess that if she even tripped and showed the slightest bit of off balance they would have done the same thing----- they would have seen the opportunity to rush in for the kill. that instinct ---to pack together ---and take advantage of a weaker being, is not very far beneath the surface of every dog on this planet.(and unfortunately many humans).\ it is usually just comical.. but here you have 2 extremely strong.. healthy human size animals with the capability of causing extremely severe damage to a human.
DOGS MUST Have a clear understanding of who is their leader...... There must never be any confusion on that one.
So-- please. Stop and rethink--- 2 big dogs and one person is NEVER ONE DOG AND PERSON TEAMED UP AGAINST THE OTHER DOG... NO---- THE DOG’S BASIC INSTINCT TO GROUP INTO A PACK IS SO INGRAINED, THE 2 DOGS WILL JOIN AGAINST THE ONE PERSON.
Do not just attack me on the internet..... you can read about just such things regularly in the news.... usually it is just pit bulls.. but not always. 2 against one is never a good idea—or being outnumbered in general needs careful thought....
MY ULTIMATE LESSON IN THIS WAS THE NIGHT WE ( MY 8 BLACK AND WHITE DANES ) WERE INVITED TO be loose AT A DINNER PARTY IN ANDOVER. Some of you have heard this before--.all went really well—even carving the meat right at dane nose level....until the music started and people began to dance--- we saw that as dancing.... the dogs saw that as one person had got hold of the other and they were struggling to cause the other to fall down --- at which point the extra dogs would join in----I HAD A SPLIT SECOND TO REMIND THEM I was still the leader and had not given the word to attack...
I had been hired to have these 8 dogs at dozens of really huge events – the difference was---at that dinner,—something--- the special circumstances--- clicked and triggered the natural behavior of circling their prey...
It happens... . It is terrible if a group of toy poodles do it.....but if a group of danes decide who is in charge, there will be very serious results.
There are sooooo many examples.... take the woman IN ARLINGTON.... in the cematary thinking it is a quiet place to work a dog... and the dog thinks...”This is a place where they raise SQUIRRELS FOR ME TO CHASE. “ !!!!!
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder--- so is LUNCH or chew toy !!!