The Family Totem Pole

Jim

Penny

Tressa

Darby

Zee

Zuzu

(At least that's how Zee sees it.  It's still not perfect, but it's an improvement!)

We've been working on Darby's authority.  She has no problem with humans or other animals, but for some reason Zee seemed to think she was a skinny little pushover that he could boss around.

The work has been gradual.  

Lots of love, lots of scratches.

Darby feeding him.

More love.

More feeding with commands....COME!  SIT!  EAT IT!

More directives.....OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

And he began to listen.

Then the funny thing happened.  Zuzu pissed Darby off.  She's a brat, she can do that sometimes.  She was barking and attacking the dining room window because a tiny dog was on a walk across the street.  Darby told her to quiet down.  She didn't listen.  Darby grabbed her.  Zuzu did what Zuzu does and turned her teeth toward Darby (she does not bite any more unless she's gnawing on an arm of someone she's wrestling with.  She just points her teeth towards you, as if she's letting you know that she could bite you if she wanted to, kind of like a little kid sticking his tongue out at you.)  Darby threw her down and pinned her and let her know that pointing teeth is NOT allowed.

Zee saw this.

Zee stared in awe.

When it was over,  Zee cautiously wagged his tail, and sniffed Darby.  He went and got a toy, and brought it to Darby, wagging his tail.  She took it and gave it back.  He rubbed his face against her leg as she scratched his ear and he looked up at her with his super sweet, adoring expression.

It was quite amusing, but pleasing to see.

We'll see how it progresses from here!