Having good friends is important, and it certainly is for dogs too. The dog is socialized, learns dog language, and generally just becomes so wonderfully happy and tired of going out and meeting other dogs.
Bassen's very first dog friend was the perfect dog friend. It was a small miniature poodle just like himself and the exact same age. We went on long walks in Søndermarken, where they ran around like puppy dogs and jumped over each other in pure joy of life. Unfortunately, his little friend got a serious eye disease and had to be put down at only six months old. I still remember how the dog's mother asked me to come with Bassen in the morning the day the dog was to be put down, so they could play together one last time. Standing and looking at the two happy dogs and knowing that we would never see our little dog friend again was one of the most heartbreaking things.
Bassen was a happy and playful dog and found other dogs in the park to play with, although it was never quite the same. But when he was 1 year old, he had surgery on his leg, and this meant that the previously playful dog had to learn during the rehabilitation period that wild play and playful dogs were bad, because he couldn't handle it with the bad leg. Even when the leg had healed, it was completely different types of dogs that he now preferred to associate with. He had become more reserved and cautious when meeting other dogs and couldn't stand the over-excited puppies at all.
His next permanent dog friend – the shih tzu Luna – was nevertheless a puppy. She was and is the most cheerful dog I know. Always happy and ready to play. Bassen wasn't immediately enthusiastic, but learned to tolerate her, and now that she's an adult, they can even share a basket. And it's important in my opinion that he also learns to get along with and tolerate dogs with other temperaments, as long as they understand and respect each other's dog language. Permanent dog friends are also the two miniature poodles Buster and Charlie, who have a bit more firepower than Bassen, but they have also found a balance where they get along really well.
But it is now the calmer and somewhat reserved dogs that he likes to go out for a walk with the most. When Bassen and Nemo meet, they barely greet each other – they don't play together, they don't just walk on top of each other, but it is still clear that they are enjoying the walk and creating their own little pack. It suits them both that the dog interaction takes place quietly and somewhat reservedly.
His latest new canine friend is our former dog sitter, who now has a dog of her own. They adopted the stray dog Cleo, and for natural reasons she is still a bit reserved and insecure. The two dogs clicked immediately – as well as two reserved dogs can click now. After just half an hour around the dog enclosure, they had clearly become each other's pack, and when a large, happy young dog came roaring, Bassen was there immediately to signal (completely non-aggressively) that it should leave his new, insecure friend alone.
Dogs choose their friends – and while it’s great if they can learn to get along with all types of dogs, you also have to respect that some dogs just don’t have the same temperament. That said, the Basset is also a male dog. So regardless of breed, size, age and temperament, all fragrant female dogs are his very best friends – as long as they smell good.
About this week's blogger:
Heidi Christiansen is a happy dog owner of the 5-year-old mini poodle Basse, who is primarily a comfort and companion dog.
She works as a translator on a daily basis and therefore has plenty of time with her beautiful, energetic bundle of energy.
BEST DOG FRIENDS
Having good friends is important, and it certainly is for dogs too. The dog is socialized, learns dog language, and generally just becomes so wonderfully happy and tired of going out and meeting other dogs.
Bassen's very first dog friend was the perfect dog friend. It was a small miniature poodle just like himself and the exact same age. We went on long walks in Søndermarken, where they ran around like puppy dogs and jumped over each other in pure joy of life. Unfortunately, his little friend got a serious eye disease and had to be put down at only six months old. I still remember how the dog's mother asked me to come with Bassen in the morning the day the dog was to be put down, so they could play together one last time. Standing and looking at the two happy dogs and knowing that we would never see our little dog friend again was one of the most heartbreaking things.
Bassen was a happy and playful dog and found other dogs in the park to play with, although it was never quite the same. But when he was 1 year old, he had surgery on his leg, and this meant that the previously playful dog had to learn during the rehabilitation period that wild play and playful dogs were bad, because he couldn't handle it with the bad leg. Even when the leg had healed, it was completely different types of dogs that he now preferred to associate with. He had become more reserved and cautious when meeting other dogs and couldn't stand the over-excited puppies at all.
His next permanent dog friend – the shih tzu Luna – was nevertheless a puppy. She was and is the most cheerful dog I know. Always happy and ready to play. Bassen wasn't immediately enthusiastic, but learned to tolerate her, and now that she's an adult, they can even share a basket. And it's important in my opinion that he also learns to get along with and tolerate dogs with other temperaments, as long as they understand and respect each other's dog language. Permanent dog friends are also the two miniature poodles Buster and Charlie, who have a bit more firepower than Bassen, but they have also found a balance where they get along really well.
But it is now the calmer and somewhat reserved dogs that he likes to go out for a walk with the most. When Bassen and Nemo meet, they barely greet each other – they don't play together, they don't just walk on top of each other, but it is still clear that they are enjoying the walk and creating their own little pack. It suits them both that the dog interaction takes place quietly and somewhat reservedly.
His latest new canine friend is our former dog sitter, who now has a dog of her own. They adopted the stray dog Cleo, and for natural reasons she is still a bit reserved and insecure. The two dogs clicked immediately – as well as two reserved dogs can click now. After just half an hour around the dog enclosure, they had clearly become each other's pack, and when a large, happy young dog came roaring, Bassen was there immediately to signal (completely non-aggressively) that it should leave his new, insecure friend alone.
Dogs choose their friends – and while it’s great if they can learn to get along with all types of dogs, you also have to respect that some dogs just don’t have the same temperament. That said, the Basset is also a male dog. So regardless of breed, size, age and temperament, all fragrant female dogs are his very best friends – as long as they smell good.
About this week's blogger:
Heidi Christiansen is a happy dog owner of the 5-year-old mini poodle Basse, who is primarily a comfort and companion dog.
She works as a translator on a daily basis and therefore has plenty of time with her beautiful, energetic bundle of energy.