Stella and Annie had a major dog fight last week. Stella ended up in the unfortunate position of dog on the bottom. When I was finally able to pull them apart (after spraying them with the hose had no effect), Stella dragged her battered body to the garage. I thought at first Annie was hurt worse because I could see deep red blood on her snow white fur. I soon figured out it was Stella’s blood, not Annie’s.
Every once in a while they painfully remind me they are dogs.
I have signed Annie up for 8 weeks of dog obedience training to see if I can curb her increasing attempts to dominate our paper doll world. The trainer informed me to purchase a “choke” collar before the first class. I cringed when she said it and meekly responded by asking, “Should I bring treats also to reward positive behaviors?” She replied sternly, “No treats will be needed. We believe in LEADERSHIP, not TREATORSHIP.” Clearly, I will be the human on the bottom in this relationship.
I’m feeling a little sad that love doesn’t seem to be the cure-all these days. I was able to love Stella through her year of bad behavior and ended up with a fine little dog. But, I can’t wait a year to see if heaping love on Annie will be enough when Stella’s well-being is at stake.
So, I move forward with a sigh, a little more jaded at having seen my babies trying to rip each other apart, and more than a little disappointed at the prospect of becoming a “Pack Leader." I had hoped to simply preserve the title of “World’s Greatest Mom.”
Every once in a while they painfully remind me they are dogs.
I have signed Annie up for 8 weeks of dog obedience training to see if I can curb her increasing attempts to dominate our paper doll world. The trainer informed me to purchase a “choke” collar before the first class. I cringed when she said it and meekly responded by asking, “Should I bring treats also to reward positive behaviors?” She replied sternly, “No treats will be needed. We believe in LEADERSHIP, not TREATORSHIP.” Clearly, I will be the human on the bottom in this relationship.
I’m feeling a little sad that love doesn’t seem to be the cure-all these days. I was able to love Stella through her year of bad behavior and ended up with a fine little dog. But, I can’t wait a year to see if heaping love on Annie will be enough when Stella’s well-being is at stake.
So, I move forward with a sigh, a little more jaded at having seen my babies trying to rip each other apart, and more than a little disappointed at the prospect of becoming a “Pack Leader." I had hoped to simply preserve the title of “World’s Greatest Mom.”
