Pack of Three

***BFFs: Bernie and Poochie, about a month before Poochie passed away. May, 1997; Lake Tahoe***

When you have a dog and you get another dog, then you have two dogs. And there's always a question of whether said dogs will get along. Poochie was 11 when I got Bernie, and she'd always been an "only dog." She and Bernie were introduced at the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, and there was no blood bath, but you don't know what's going to happen once you put two under one roof. Regardless of the two dogs' temperaments, they will have to establish a pecking order, which can be a lengthy process. I now know of ways to assist in this process, but I didn't back then. I just brought Bernie home, and there they were! Figure it out, girls.

Bernie had a tumultuous puppyhood before I adopted her at eight months. The details I do not know, but she hated people and literally put her tail between her legs and backed into a corner upon hearing any loud noise. I believe, and I will find out soon for sure, that Bernie's Pet of the Week ad said she was abused, which I believe. She was quite the paranoid freak for a long while after I adopted her. So, for that reason I think she was grateful to have another dog in the house to mimic, and a very calm mentor Poochie was at that. I'm certain the young pup brought new life and energy to Poochie. And yes, they established who was the alpha rather early on: Bernie walked over to Poochie's food bowl on day two or three at her new home, started to eat, and Poochie got up, bolted over, and let a sharp growl out toward Bernie. Bernie backed away, never to step near the Sheepdog's food bowl again!

Interestingly, though, Bernie used to try and display dominance over me, generally via climbing on my back if I was kneeled down or some such thing. Bernie is female, so this was clearly dominant behavior. For the same reason, she would snap at me in her younger years when I stood over her. As time went on, however, when she'd try to climb on me, I'd grab her and playfully pin her down, then stand over her and say, "I'm the alpha! I am king!" 

That'll learn her.