2 years ago I had three dogs. 3 months later I had 1. And since then it has been just me and PellePirat. No puppies could really make me puppy-crazy and I didn't feel the need for another dog. The loss of the two I had lost was too great and I felt I had more than enough in Mr. PellePirat.
So 6 months ago I got a call from an old friend who was getting rid of her Malinois Olli. She wanted to know if I knew anyone who was interested. Or if I was (because I think there was a time when I had said that if she ever got rid of Olli, I would be interested.. )
It ended with a walk, then Olli came along for LP training, and then she came along for a week's course/holiday in Sweden with PellePirat. And I fell in love. Deeply. AND so did my Pirat. The two had so much fun together and he reflects himself so well in her.
Olli has now lived with Piraten and I for a month. Things are going well. The two of them have a great time non-stop and a big benefit to the account is that PellePirat can now run loose, every day with Olli. Because he is so busy running after her, playing with her and herding her, that he doesn't pay attention to the birds - and therefore doesn't run freely without being called.
Olli is a star. At least at most things. LP, tricks, even Nose Work she could probably be tough. She loves to train and I hope to go out and have her first Rally or LP test this fall. She's cool. And we get along great on the training ground.
At home it's a different story. One day she opened the front door while I was standing in the shower, shaking - and I had to go out and get her. She pulls on the leash an unusual amount. She takes food from the table if she can get away with it. She sneaks up on the couch, or does some rolling on it when she thinks I'm not looking. And she wouldn't go out and drive and can pull herself out of both the collar and harness if there's something she doesn't want. But we'll probably come to an agreement on all that in time. Right now she's just having to find her way in her new life.
The most important thing is that Olli is doing well, Piraten is doing well and I am doing well. A good combination, even though the two are very different in breed, they match each other wonderfully well. And I think that is important when two dogs are going to live together.
About the blogger:
Tina Hougaard is a trained dog trainer, currently training to become a behavior therapist and is passionate about training, especially Nose Work, and runs PowerDog. She is the happy owner of the beautiful and cheeky Tibetan Terrier Pilou aka PellePirat, with whom she trains obedience, tricks and Nose Work.
Olli is the newest member of the house. A Malinois bitch that Tina hopes to go all the way with within LP.
When the household expands with dog no. 2
2 years ago I had three dogs. 3 months later I had 1. And since then it has been just me and PellePirat. No puppies could really make me puppy-crazy and I didn't feel the need for another dog. The loss of the two I had lost was too great and I felt I had more than enough in Mr. PellePirat.
So 6 months ago I got a call from an old friend who was getting rid of her Malinois Olli. She wanted to know if I knew anyone who was interested. Or if I was (because I think there was a time when I had said that if she ever got rid of Olli, I would be interested.. )
It ended with a walk, then Olli came along for LP training, and then she came along for a week's course/holiday in Sweden with PellePirat. And I fell in love. Deeply. AND so did my Pirat. The two had so much fun together and he reflects himself so well in her.
Olli has now lived with Piraten and I for a month. Things are going well. The two of them have a great time non-stop and a big benefit to the account is that PellePirat can now run loose, every day with Olli. Because he is so busy running after her, playing with her and herding her, that he doesn't pay attention to the birds - and therefore doesn't run freely without being called.
Olli is a star. At least at most things. LP, tricks, even Nose Work she could probably be tough. She loves to train and I hope to go out and have her first Rally or LP test this fall. She's cool. And we get along great on the training ground.
At home it's a different story. One day she opened the front door while I was standing in the shower, shaking - and I had to go out and get her. She pulls on the leash an unusual amount. She takes food from the table if she can get away with it. She sneaks up on the couch, or does some rolling on it when she thinks I'm not looking. And she wouldn't go out and drive and can pull herself out of both the collar and harness if there's something she doesn't want. But we'll probably come to an agreement on all that in time. Right now she's just having to find her way in her new life.
The most important thing is that Olli is doing well, Piraten is doing well and I am doing well. A good combination, even though the two are very different in breed, they match each other wonderfully well. And I think that is important when two dogs are going to live together.
About the blogger:
Tina Hougaard is a trained dog trainer, currently training to become a behavior therapist and is passionate about training, especially Nose Work, and runs PowerDog. She is the happy owner of the beautiful and cheeky Tibetan Terrier Pilou aka PellePirat, with whom she trains obedience, tricks and Nose Work.
Olli is the newest member of the house. A Malinois bitch that Tina hopes to go all the way with within LP.