Odin Surprises Us All

[LyonsFamily]

I mentioned earlier that Odin's been having a hard time with the move. A big problem for him has been dealing with going from a single dog to living with 4 poorly trained English setters, completely different personalities and play styles and an established household that hasn't had another dog present since the two youngest were little puppies 5 years ago. Right now, Odin and I have the upstairs 3 rooms and front living room and my parents and the setters have the rest of the downstairs.

Odin can play with one of the boys individually with the other's separated, but tends to panic when they're all running around and rough housing. He does get to hang out with everyone at night in the living room with a drag line on, but sticks by himself and will nip a reprimand if they get too close and annoying. The setter's are quick to back each other up even for just a growl or nip and that could be a major fight, so we have to be careful of Odin's comfort level. He's never left alone with any of them, let alone the whole group.

Today I went to a Greek festival with my parents and we came home to find that my little escape artist had made his way downstairs into setterland and was just running free with the 4 of them playing and goofing off. Boy was I surprised to be greeted at the side door by a big brindle beast and 4 happy little setters.

[johninny]

and what a relief ! fantastic.
do you think this is a real turning point where they - especially Odin - all might be more comfortable now?
hope Odin will soon be the happiest dog ever. his over-caffeinated smile would be great to see all day.

[Dutchringgirl]

he was better when you weren't there?? Interesting isnt it? I do find that we cause some of their problems. We anticipate a problem and our body language screams it and that affects the dogs. When they are left on their own with out us making it worse, they are usually fine.

[Stacy_R]

Today I went to a Greek festival with my parents and we came home to find that my little escape artist had made his way downstairs into setterland and was just running free with the 4 of them playing and goofing off. Boy was I surprised to be greeted at the side door by a big brindle beast and 4 happy little setters.

Yay! Don't you love it when our kids figure it out all on their own? I think sometimes they do better without mom/dad around...just like human kids.

[LyonsFamily]

he was better when you weren't there?? Interesting isnt it? I do find that we cause some of their problems. We anticipate a problem and our body language screams it and that affects the dogs. When they are left on their own with out us making it worse, they are usually fine.

It really is interesting, but makes a lot of sense. DSs are a protective breed and he doesn't always want to share me and the female setter had her eye injured by another dog years ago, so my parents are extra worried about everyone's safety.

The big problem is the old male setter, Winston. He was my Junior Handling dog growing up and I competed with him until my senior year of high school, so he still thinks he's "mine," even though I've been gone for many years. Winston's other big problem is that he likes to lick the other dogs' ears and since Odin is the only up eared dog in the house, he thinks it's easy access.

I sure hope this is the turning point for all of them. Odin was showing genuine interest in starting play with Myles today, rather than just playing to amuse me. We just got another surprise set of papers for the house before closing so we might be here until the beginning of August now.

[Dutchringgirl]

HAHAHAhA Up ear'd dog. Sadie has a great time licking Mistys ears, my parents Basset hound. When no one is around there isnt anyone to protect. Can you let them out together now and act normal?

[HeatherH]

I find with my dogs and cats it takes up to 4 months to accept change new house new pet. I'm always pleasantly surprised how well Dutch behaves. I expect the worst a dead cat, half chewed expensive pair of shoes (usually the right go figure) a mauled doctor or kid. I come in or walk in to nothing. The doctor loves him; he chewed the left ugly cheap pair of runners, him and the cat laying side by side, the kid giggling.

Don't you love it when they turn out to be good citizens better then some of your relatives?

H