Friends,
We’ve had a week or so to work out the dynamics here at the Damp Dog Lodge and some things have become clear; dogs are protective of their food, even if it’s not their own, and will start fights. Dogs who can’t hear very well are easily startled by other dogs approaching from outside of their diminished peripheral vision, and will start fights. Dogs who are not in any physical condition to play will try to murder dogs who try to start playing with them. Take away these conditions and no fights, right? I feed one over here and the other behind a locked door. Problem solved(-ish). One sleeps here, the other sleeps over there and the startling ends. Sorta. Playtime dog learns a lesson and stops initiating play. Easy to implement (of course not).
We’ve reached detente. An uneasy peace. There’s a floating demilitarized zone between the two, with each camp cautiously monitoring the other across this imaginary line. No loudspeakers or binoculars needed.
Now if we can figure out a way for the old guy to make it all the way out of the house to the doggy restroom area before the transaction commences…
Wearing slippers for safety reasons,
– bob