Chloe Chloe Chloe!

Currently Chloe is staying over with the girls - Skye and Rhu - for a few nights. This lovely goldendoodle has already become friends with Skye and was following Skye's lead on the long walk home. 

She then made her self right at home with joining Skye - Rhu wasn't up for much fun after the long walk -  in playing with the toys and bones. Over the next few nights she'll be out and about with the girls and hopefully the good weather!

Toys and Families

We have been quite busy over the past few weeks with new dogs joining the Bruff's Bark Band but also we've also got new toys for all the dogs! Toys are very important in the a dog's life and no matter what breed there will always be a toy for the them to enjoy. They provide enjoyment, exercise - physically and mentally - and most importantly help create a natural bond between canine and owner. It's best to remember not to overwhelm your dog with too many toys as they'll not know what to do with them all.

As you can see above Moby is enjoying the new Colossal rope we've got but even Merlin, Abbey and Eigg - who are all shorter than it - enjoy it! But keep in mind that toys should be taken away when the play has ended and they should be used as treats. We have a certain chocolate Labrador who likes to bust up our toys much to our displeasure.

Secondly - though the most important of all - dogs should know their family and their position in it. Either in a single dog or multiple dog household, there should and must be a hierarchy in which the dog(s) are at the bottom of it - even below other family pets! Dogs are natural to pack leadership, the owner must always be and act as a leader. Dogs who believe they are the pack leader will become troublesome and possibly aggressive to other canines.



As you can see from these photos there is a general feeling of who's the top dog: Abbey is showing her dominance to the rather posing Eigg and Starsky is showing his by checking on Hutch who constantly looks up to his brother.

Once a dog knows their place, there will be times when they will challenge either the owner or other dogs in the house for dominance - this is natural of pack animals. Always remember to show them that you are the boss and harmony will return.

How Long Did It Last?

Now all toys should be put through their paces by my girls. Even having all their pals around does not take them away from their task of 'destroy!' Rhu and Skye love playing 'tuggy tuggy' with each other - as they have to share their toys with the other dogs. So when they get to play together they let off steam and can really wreck the toy. When another dog has their toy they'll leave them to it.

Rhu does go off and eat grass, mooch, roll in bird poo and drink water. Skye is the one who plays, runs and puts up with all the puppies. So when they do play with each other I allow them to wreck a toy now and again.