Sometimes having two packs sucks

There have been many advantages and disadvantages to living with two packs of dogs.  Not exactly my dream situation, but we've learned to manage our time and attention with both packs by balancing between the two.  If you add our two cats, it is actually three sets of pairs we are dealing with.  For whatever reason they can not all get along together.  While there are a few exceptions, most of the time they have to be apart from each other.

I don't know if I could do this again when the next phase of our lives comes.  Maybe for temporarily purposes but not 11 years worth.  This whole plan of dividing the dogs started as a must, only to find out after years of trying to bring the two dog packs together, that it was not going to happen.  It is still hard to admit that now.  I had doubts, but I also believed in the possibility of they could mesh as a unit.  While lack of socialization is part of it, the bigger influence comes down to Daddy Dog Brut's genes and the way he was raised with aggression.  Because Fiona has no reaction when we run into any other dogs out and about, yet is the vicious one with the Front Dogs, Chance and Blaze.  Fiona will attack.  And has been that way from the first day Blaze came back to live with us, after her owners returned her.

For the most part I accepted life with two packs and for the most part the positives outweighed the negatives.   Though there were many times when I was following other bloggers or knew of people around me that brought new dogs into their home with skill and ease that I couldn't.  No matter what I tried, read, or witnessed, I couldn't change Brut's aggression and that it was passed on to his kids.  They were never going to accept each other.  Even with the "help" of a trainer and a behaviorist  I found I was further along without them.

And so the beat goes on...going from one side to the other, taking turns when there are treat games and the ruffling of furs at the separation door.  It is the never ending saga that is our life right now.  It is trying, it can be very difficult and sometimes it is no fun, but to have all four dogs in our lives...priceless.

Chance and Zappa Socialize-2nd meeting!

Watch here or on YouTube

So the video may not seem like much, but if you've been a long time reader you know how exciting this is.  It has been a long time coming to try and blend the two dog packs.  Here is our first meeting.  They were pretty scared that first time, but were relaxed and happy the second time.   

As you might have noticed I'm not spending a lot of time on Zappa's entrance, just trying to keep him from being out of control.  I just want to get to the 'meeting' between the two of them and I'll work backwards from there.  

Zappa being Zappa is the mouthy one of the two.  He did pretty good for the most part.  The fact that nobody is holding the leashes while Chance and Zappa 'hang out' helps to keep any emotions that may be coming down the leash and making them more reactive.  

I actually can't believe how much they calmed down once they found they couldn't get to each other.  Just like that their squabble was over.  

Other than just getting them together, I'm trying to show them that I do not favor one over the other and that they are equal to me.  My reasons for eating and sharing the pear with both of them.  

I think I'm on to something.  :)

Now where to take it from here.....hmmm

Chance and Zappa's first meeting!

Chance and Zappa had their first real meeting today.  I say 'real' because they have had a couple of close encounters when the door that separates the two packs wasn't closed all the way and they saw each other.  (no interaction)

Zappa

Today was different.  I had just walked Zappa and when we got home I tied him to the mirror bracket on our old truck.  Then I went in to get Chance.  Unfortunately, Chance was all psyched up for a walk until he saw Zappa.

They barked at each other, but Chance did not pull or lunge as I walked him out of the gate and hooked him to the tree.  They had plenty of space between them, 10 or 15 feet and all they did was bark at each other.  Once they realized they couldn't get at each other, they stopped pulling on their leads.  Then I brought out the treats and then they really settled down.

After a couple sits with treats, it became rather obvious Zappa and Chance were

both very nervous and scared.  Zappa barked a nervous bark on and off.  And Chance slumped into a sit with his head hanging heavy, shaking ever so slightly.

That's when I took Chance inside and then took Zappa in.  That was a good start.
What's kind of funny is that when they confront each other in the house when the door opens by mistake, (this has only happened maybe 5 times ever) Chance and Zappa back up from each other and quiet down.  They seemed to be surprised by each other without a barrier, but also I think they may remember each other.  Call me crazy, but I think something registers inside of them as they grapple with that feeling.  Not mention actually have a face-to-face conversation!

And wouldn't you know it I went to record the whole thing with our GoPro, I turned it on and thought it was recording, only to find that it wasn't.  UGH!

At least it was a beginning.  I hope to have a few more meetings like this and see how they go.  Hubby and I are hoping to do some ground work this summer, so we'll see how it goes.  Wish us luck!

**For those of you who are new readers and are wondering why we have two packs of dogs, you can read about it HERE or click the tab The Two Packs under the header.**