Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday's Multiples with Brenda and her dogs Diamond, Brendle and Bambie



Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your experiences of having three dogs in your household!

1 ) Could you start by telling us your dog’s names and ages?

Brenda: Diamond- 6, Brendle- 5, Bambie-5

2) Can you tell us about their personalities?

Brenda: All of my dogs have very unique personalities. Diamond is Miss Social, she loves all people and animals. She will greet everyone with a bark and a wagging tail. She is also is a very quick learner. Even trainers have said she is very smart. She has helped socialize Brendle in many ways. Both Brendle and Bambie have socialization issues.

Brendle, when around Diamond, my daughter and myself is laid back and loving. He loves to cuddle with his humans and chew on hooves. He also tends to survey the house to make sure everyone is safe. When he gets up in the morning he checks every room before he joins me in the kitchen as I cook.

Bambie is a very special girl. She does not get along with the other dogs so she is separated. Her energy levels are very high and throws off the balance between Diamond and Brendle. Once she trusts a person she is very sweet and loyal. And she is a talker. She will have conversations with me all the time and is hysterical. She loves to go for walks and her Bambie bonding time. Most of all she loves toys and hooves to chew on.

3) Sometimes dogs will have a hierarchy. You are the leader, of course, but what is the order of who is in charge with your pups?

Brenda: Diamond and Brendle switch off leadership. When Brendle feels uncomfortable he will allow Diamond to take the lead. If Diamond gets a little excited, Brendle will calm her down. They work well together. Bambie is a lone wolf in her own world.

4) Tell us a little about their day... 

Brenda: When Diamond gets up in the morning she will lie in the bed until she has to get up. She loves to sleep in. Brendle gets up as soon as a human is up and he starts his patrol of the house. He then comes in the kitchen as I make breakfast and watches. He also gets his morning rubs. 
Bambie also sleeps in. When she is up she wants to eat then walk. She also enjoys the morning rubs and walks. 

They all like to walk and go on 2-3 walks a day depending on the humans schedule. (I work between 45-50 hrs a week and my daughter works 30-35 hrs a week)

Nighttime is their favorite. Bambie gets her bonding time while Brendle and Diamond lounge on the couch and round chair. They love the cuddles and love!

5) How do you manage dinner time at your house?

Brenda: The dogs are fed 2 times a day. Diamond and Brendle are fed together and Bambie is fed separately. All dogs have to wait in a proper sit for their food. No jumping, no dancing and they must not look at the food. 

6) Do you have any advice for someone thinking of adding another dog to their household?

Brenda: A dog is a lifetime commitment. When you bring a new dog in they must work within the pack. An older dog will often help with a new furbaby. When I had Anastasia and Nickey they would help train new dogs and socialize them. They would show the new dog where to potty and the proper behavior of the house. 

Under your guidance, allow your dogs to become a working family with each other. If the possible new addition does not fit into the pack then don’t adopt that dog unless you are willing to do the extra work and intense training to make it work.

I wanted to add that I have had the help of Kay Pierce for a lot of socializing of my two special dogs, Bambie and Brendle. If it wasn’t for her help I would not still have the two of them. Having dogs that are a challenge to train and socialize takes a lot of commitment, patients, and very hard work. Having someone in your corner to support and help you and your pack is very important.

Thank you, Brenda! 

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Great blog...very interesting...doing a super job Brenda with your three!

Brenpooh said...

Thank you, Fran! It is hard work keeping up with them!! Brenda