Title?

I'm not sure how to title what's happened in the last week. I've been thinking about posting about this but it's a lot to go through...and quite frankly it's daunting to even think about how to post about this without going on and on about things that don't matter. Let me just begin...

Tuesday night my sister Penny and her boys were over....we were having an "election party" with our kids. Everything was going along well until....my dogs broke out in a fight in my kitchen. Jeff was not home so Penny and I had to break it up ourselves- that was NOT easy. Penny did a fantastic job of remaining calm and being extremely helpful. My older dog, Sumo was hurt. He had a puncture wound on his right paw. When Jeff got home he took him to the ER vet. Everything was fine...no stitch- $92 (not bad).

This is the 4th fight my dogs have gotten into. I was very startled about this.......I pretty much decided that Sophia had to go. I decided that before I made that final decision that I would consult with our vet first. The vet told me that this would probably happen again, but to call a dog behaviorist first before we made that decision.

Well I did jump the gun a bit and post an ad on craigslist. I cried and cried all night over this decision..... The next day Jeff and I decided to call a behaviorist. I called a man named Earl http://evnewland.com/

He came over on Sunday of this week and helped us with some dicipline and training issues. He was very complimentary on what we have been doing already- and suggested some things we can try. He did say that he tought that Sumo and Sophie did not need to be split up...that was a relief. They are now wearing Halti collar when in the house. This is a training tool that we will use inside of the house at all times- and on walks. Dogs cannot do anything without the use of their head to lead and this collar gives us the control of their head. Also- when the leash is pulled, it shuts the dogs mouth- so if there is a fight, we can more successfully end it. We have also bought an air horn to scare the shit out of them if the do fight.

Because Sophies dominant personality is the root of the problem, we've taken away all toys- picked up food and water and are minimizing things that could allow her to dominate Sumo. For instance, she is dominant in our bedroom. So- at night she now sleeps in a kennel in our room and Sumo sleeps outside of it.

Oh- one more thing....we found out that Sumo has a bad hip. New diet for him.

I remain cautiously optimistic about the situation. I have discovered just how much I love Sophie and am willing to work very hard to keep her and Sumo in a safe environment.

This experience has helped renew doggie dicipline in our house, which will help everyone.