Nothing is for free in life (NIFIL)

People ask me how we keep ‘order in the pack’. Especially with two un neutered males.

Good question because it’s not always easy. There is sometimes growling at each other and macho behavior, that we have to interfere and make sure it doesn’t escalate. But for 99% of te time the pack is relaxed and very forgiving toward each other.

​So what’s our secret? From day 1 we decided to get another WSS (aka Mijne), we agreed that Mojo would always be the ‘first’. The first one that gets a treat, his food, attention, etc, etc. Then Mijne, Jessie and the last is Jane.
But we also already had the rule ‘that nothing is for free in life’. So
if they want to have a treat they have to obey a cue like ‘look’, ‘sit’, etc. And that makes it all predictable, no need to be jealous
because everyone get’s something as long as they obey.

It also helps that Mojo is very easy and generous. He seldom really cares about toys and bones.
Unless it’s a ball. So we don’t bring them into the home.

One other aspect that I think is very important to keep it all peaceful is that when correcting one of the dogs, while the others are around, is to make sure that you praise the dog when doing the right thing. Like when Jessie is playing ‘mom’ over the rest and she is correcting the others even if it’s totally unnecessary. I tell her to stop and when she does (which she always does) I tell her she’s ‘a good girl’. If I would keep scolding at her, because ‘she must know by now that it’s not her task to correct the others’, it will make her very uncertain and give the other dogs a reason to ‘correct’ her. Not a good way if you want to keep the peace.
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And so this is how we keep the pack in balance.