Willowsmommy
Well-Known Member
So Willow has expressed her jealousy, she takes Atlas's toys b right from his mouth, pushes him out of the way when he comes to say hi and she has now decided that listening is an option. On the opposite side of the coin, she gets along with Atlas, plays with him very well and if he ever wimpers she's right there to make sure he's OK.
Atlas is no longer biting as hard as he was durning play with Willow. We bought him a special bowl that forces him to eat his food slower. He also has realized that I will not set his food down until he stops jumping and then sits. He's learned sit and “no no. †He's working really hard with house training though still makes a mistake on occasion. We've also crate trained him, which I find is good when Willow wants to play and Atlas needs a nap. Keeping him on a leash while in the house and putting him on the run to go potty has also been very helpful training wise.
My concern, Willow is becoming more and more stubborn, not listening to simple commands, recently sticking her head in the trash after she figured out how to step on the pedal to open the lid, really? Lol. She didn't eat anything out of it, just put her head in. Weirdo lol. Because of this stubbornness, I've been much more strict with her. She still gets the same amount of attention, she also gets one on one time with me, like she's always had. I sit on the floor with her, brush her, put the mushers secret on her paws (which she loves). I do all this when Atlas is down for one of many naps. In not treating her differently. So whats the deal with sudden behavior change? I've never had the ability to have 2 dogs but with Mikes new job as an insurance rep we can financially handle having this second pup. I just didn't know what to expect behavior wise with Willow. It's definitely thrown me for a loop.
Atlas is no longer biting as hard as he was durning play with Willow. We bought him a special bowl that forces him to eat his food slower. He also has realized that I will not set his food down until he stops jumping and then sits. He's learned sit and “no no. †He's working really hard with house training though still makes a mistake on occasion. We've also crate trained him, which I find is good when Willow wants to play and Atlas needs a nap. Keeping him on a leash while in the house and putting him on the run to go potty has also been very helpful training wise.
My concern, Willow is becoming more and more stubborn, not listening to simple commands, recently sticking her head in the trash after she figured out how to step on the pedal to open the lid, really? Lol. She didn't eat anything out of it, just put her head in. Weirdo lol. Because of this stubbornness, I've been much more strict with her. She still gets the same amount of attention, she also gets one on one time with me, like she's always had. I sit on the floor with her, brush her, put the mushers secret on her paws (which she loves). I do all this when Atlas is down for one of many naps. In not treating her differently. So whats the deal with sudden behavior change? I've never had the ability to have 2 dogs but with Mikes new job as an insurance rep we can financially handle having this second pup. I just didn't know what to expect behavior wise with Willow. It's definitely thrown me for a loop.