Sheba-A Marvelous Gift

[frustratedearthmother]

Good girl! Sounds like she's a good judge of character!

 

[farmerjan]

Understanding Layne's and Sentry's "relationship".... you might want to limit Sentry's influence on Buford when Layne is there.... interaction with Sheba and Buford with Layne would be a benefit... but if anything came up that Layne would have to take care of them for any reason, dealing with 2 accepting, FRIENDLY to the owner's son, dogs, would be better than 2 that don't like him. Honestly, I get Sentry's reluctance... but it is not a good thing for him to be promoting his dislike to a puppy that has no reason to be afraid of or aggressive towards your son. It is enough that they are protective of you... and good that they are taking care of THEIR charges... and Sentry is never going to like Layne as he is a threat to what Sentry considers his flock/family.... through no one's fault... but it would be better that Buford is not influenced that way for no good reason... and he needs to accept that Layne is just fine... as Sheba does......

 

[Baymule]

Good point @farmerjan . Next time Layne is in, I’ll make sure to let Buford know that he is part of the pack.

 

[Finnie]

Good girl Sheba!

 

[Ridgetop]

Sheba knows the rules of the flock/pack. She is the alpha of the dogs and was informing Buford that his behavior was not acceptable. Hopefully, when you reinforce that Layne is part of the pack, Buford will realize that Sentry was out of line. She didn't discipline Sentry because she is not training him. If, however, he actually went for Layne, I think she might step in and punish Sentry. With his bad hips she could easily take him down. She knows Sentry is not her equal in a fight, and his bad behavior isn't her concern, BUT Buford in a "child" and needed to be taught manners within the pack. Kind of like punishing your child for following the lead of a cousin they look up to but you think is a bad influence. Part of the family so you can't kick them out of the family, but you punish your kids when they do that behavior.

Good girl Sheba!

 

[Baymule]

Exactly!

 

[Baymule]

The Sumer heat is gone, 2 months of 100 plus degrees and drought was hard on the farm. I brought Sheba and Buford to the front yard every day around 11AM. They disappeared under the coolness of the porch until 5PM and it was time to eat. Sentry came to the house, went to the dog crate, happily gave up his freedom for an afternoon of AC. Carson became even more of a house dog. Sentry was crated because he would jump on Carson. Carson gave Sentry and the crate a wide berth, his resting spot became the hallway or behind my recliner.

Finally cool weather arrived and with it, much needed rain. When the thirsty land finally got enough, it made mud. Sheba doesn’t like mud. At. All.

So what does Miss Dainty Toes do?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

But of course! A girl can't have dirt under her toenails, lol.

 

[Baymule]

Sheba makes me laugh. She “talks”. She chews on Buford, making lots of noise. He gets excited and nibbles on me, it pinches. I’ve tried everything. NO! AAHHNNTTT! Thumping his nose. Roaring at him. I grab his lips with both hands and twist until he cries. He can be good for a second or two, then back to an excited over the top baby elephant with teeth.

Enter Sheba. SHE sets him straight! She knows he is aggravating me and “bites” him, growling fiercely. Sometimes she pins him down and mauls him, grabbing legs and chewing on him. No skin is broken, it is Sheba teaching him manners, correcting a brat and the play is teaching him to fight.

I tell her to “get him” and she steps it up. Buford runs. Sheba chases him and off they go.

I love Sheba!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

She's a good girl!