Update on assorted dogs in Duetto

[Guest Sylvia Burman-Hunt]

To those kind readers who offered suggestions to my earlier enquiry, we havenow been away for two weeks with one youngish corgi bitch and the Guide Dog puppy, now almost 9 months old. The other corgi languished in kennels as he is now 12, rather arthritic and becoming grouchy and snappy and he keeps diving and snapping at the pup - we think he is trying to maintain his male supremacy in the face of a pup the size of an increasingly large donkey. The two travellers behaved beautifully, the pup slept behind the reversed front passenger seat and was barred from the "bed" area by the nearside bed "flap" which dropped off on our first night, it only reached her knees but was a sufficient deterrent and she respected it. The corgi slept under the slide forward part of the nearside bed as usual. The situation was complicated by the pup starting in season after 4 nights of our holiday but we had no unwanted suitor problems. I had also got from a boot sale a wooden baby gate in two halves bolted together and we used this across the side sliding door or rear door as appropriate, and between times used it as a towel drying rack outside in the sun! So thanks for everyone's sugestions, we intend to repeat the exercise in late June for another two or three weeks, and poor Sam will be back at the kennels. He seems awfully glad to be home today.

[Guest Pat Price]

Hi Sylvia Glad to hear you are coping with two dogs in a duetto. Your old Corgi is displaying normal dog behaviour and should not be prevented from chastising the young upstart when he or she oversteps the mark in the "manners around old dogs" stakes. It is almost always best to leave dogs to sort out the pecking order themselves. Your guide dog puppy will learn valuable lessons for later life. If you are worried that the behaviour oversteps the "normal" mark then consult a qualified behaviour therapist - your vet should be able to refer you to one. Regards Pat (qualified behaviour therapist!)

[Guest Ray Jenner]

Sylvia, Glad to hear that you are home safe and sound,hope you have recovered from the 'Abbey Fields' incident ?? My two Labs are sad about being 'Home'no more all sleeping in the same 'Kennel' (the Motorhome). The 11 year old Golden had to have a bath as soon as she got home,after her 'swim' and subsequent rescue from the mud. Ahh the joys of sharing your Holidays with 'Man's (and Woman's) best friends. It would't be a holiday without them.Hope to see you again on 'Our Travels' Regards Ray & Linda + Cassie & Wendy.