[Dailydrool] Alpha and Pooh Eating

[Linda Gardner]

Our Lucy was a very quiet alpha.  She never growled or bared her  
teeth.  When she arrived, we had Elwood.  Elwood owned the dog chair  
(henceforth referred to as the throne).  Regardless, she would get  
herself up on it whether he was there or not.  She would perch herself  
on the back, while Elwood was on the seat.  She once even squeezed  
herself in the seat with him (said situation documented in a previous  
Daily Drool Calendar). When Elwood went to the Bridge, she didn't care  
at all.  She immediately took over the throne.  She became the Basset  
Queen.  Then we got Bubba.  Bubba was a very large basset - not fat,  
just big.  Lucy loved her stuffed animals.  We referred to them as her  
army.  Since Bubba wouldn't touch hers, we bought him a duck of his  
own.  He picked up the duck once.  Lucy took exception and took it for  
her own.  Bubba never picked it up again.  He never touched anything  
that had Lucy's scent on it.  He never went on the throne.  He was  
totally submissive to her.  Bubba went to the bridge two years later.   
Lucy was by herself for 7 months.  Then we got Barney.  Barney never  
tried to get up on the throne.  That was Lucy's, and he knew it.  He  
would lick the inside of her ears and she loved it.  Lucy went to the  
Bridge last year.  At that point Barney took over the throne.  Neither  
Bubba nor Barney wanted to cross Lucy.  I think Elwood thought she was  
just impudent.

I've dealt with pooh-eating dogs for what seems forever, some worse  
than others.  Jake would wait 'til Snoopy would go out, follow him and  
lie in wait - he really liked it fresh.  Bubba ate both his and  
Lucy's.  I noticed Barney only eats it occasionally.  I think with him  
it depends on what he or another dog has ingested.  I had to give away  
his special dog cookies because he liked them the second time around.   
Elwood was the only dog who was cured by Distaste.  I tried with Jake,  
but it got too pricey and it didn't work.  I don't think it's a  
nutritional thing, but an additional source of "treats,"  easily  
available.

Linda Gardner, serving wench to Barney (who is dog #11, and basset #8)