I have had Carli for just over 2 years now and there have been many, many times I have questioned my decision to adopt her. She was a great companion and kept be thoroughly entertained and vexed for our first year. As I started to become more socially active I had less time with her which she did not like and I felt bad about. She gradually developed a playful relationship with Brady, my son’s dog where Carli would stay when I was out of town. I could drop her off there for a few hours at a time pretty much whenever I needed to. Like a child, Carli behaves better at my son’s. He kept reminding me that she is a dog and I have gradually gotten better at being the alpha. Carli and I had a good routine going.
A month ago our worlds were rocked with Match Dude and his very playful poodle terrier mix, Buckley. Buckley is much larger than Carli and Brady so his mere presence bothers/scares Carli – even though his has the sweetest disposition and just wants to play.
Craig is a dog owner and I am a dog parent. Prior to Carli, I would have put myself in the category of a dog owner as well so I understand his point of view well. At my place I have to keep the doors to the bedroom closed so she does not use them as her bathroom if I am the slightest distracted.
Craig’s place is much bigger than mine and it quickly became clear that in spite of ample opportunities out doors to manage her needs, she felt the need to express her feelings about having a new environment by pooping in the bedrooms.
Buckley’s world was upset as well. He was not only having to share his home with a little dog, but his kennel as well. He can sleep outdoors in his pen so Carli would sleep in his indoor kennel which Carli liked. My place is small for Buckley and he cannot really be outside aside from walks. We tried leaving him on my deck for a few hours at a time but that led to a fine from my homeowners association – apparently he is not as quiet when we are not home as he is when we are. The deck abuts a treeline and no one is ever back there so we hoped he would not have things to bark at and could be outdoors which he was used to.
Right before our trip to Iowa, it became clear that management of our dog situation was emerging as the first real complication in our relationship. As my son was out of town the week we were in Iowa Carli was making the trip with us and staying my aunt who really likes Carli and kept her for several days last summer. Since that time, she has said she would have a dog if it were like Carli – a dog who just wants to snuggle up next to you ALL day long with no desire to go on walks or play – Just snuggle and eat. So I approached my aunt about potentially keeping her for longer than a week and seeing if she and Carli could be a good long-term fit. A simple solution to the Carli/Buckley conflict with potentially upsides for Aunt Carol and Carli.
Long story short, the simple solution for me was not the best for Carol so Carli came back to Nashville and we have been faced with figuring out our relationship with our dogs. A quick decision to re-home one or both dogs without a real effort to make it work did not feel like a good thing for our relationship long-term.
This week has been much better – a gate at the bottom of the stairs keeping both dogs from roaming upstairs; a new kennel for Carli at Craig’s and making sure Buckley is in his outdoor pen or inside when Carli goes out to take care of business were simple to implement and it seems to be going better. Carli has not pooped inside the house. Controlling Buckley inside is easier because he cannot get upstairs. Carli does seem to like Buckley’s bigger kennel better and does not like it when Buckley gets in it at night, but she will get used to it as she gets used to this new environment.
The other night there was a split second when the two dogs almost played tug of war so I am hopeful that they can become friends over time. It took Carli a year to develop a relationship with Brady so I think this is going to go faster.
If you ignore the fact that Carli is on my lap and Buckley is lying at my feet it almost looks like they are next to each other.
Fingers crossed that they will learn to get along..
Tamara Unleashed 