{"id":367,"date":"2013-08-08T18:00:57","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T23:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alidawinternheimer.com\/servicedog\/?p=367"},"modified":"2013-08-08T18:00:57","modified_gmt":"2013-08-08T23:00:57","slug":"theyre-still-dogs-sleepovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alidawinternheimer.com\/servicedog\/theyre-still-dogs-sleepovers\/","title":{"rendered":"They’re Still Dogs: Sleepovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter how well trained, how wonderful, how loving, they\u2019re still<\/em> dogs.<\/p>\n

Seva has had 3 Helping Paws dogs stay with her. Last fall, Percy spent a few days with us while his foster mom traveled. Stubbs spent a night with us in July. And this week, Cash is staying with us. Seva has also stayed with other Helping Paws foster families on occasion.<\/p>\n

Just like with children and playdates, you can\u2019t put two dogs in a room and assume fun antics will ensue. There is some interesting dog psychology at play. This is some of the stuff I\u2019ve observed.<\/p>\n

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\"Seva<\/a>

Seva & Percy<\/p><\/div>\n

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1:<\/strong> the guest dog is usually very well behaved. It\u2019s not his territory, so he\u2019s minding his manners while he settles in. That doesn\u2019t mean he won\u2019t have fun, but he\u2019ll defer to the home dog and humans.<\/p>\n

When Seva stayed with Jed, we warned Jed\u2019s dad, John, that Seva steals fabric and paper and ate a sock while on her first overnight. She didn\u2019t steal anything, even when the laundry basket was right there in front of her! Scott and I got excited, thinking maybe she\u2019d turned a corner, maybe Jed had taught her that eating socks is bad. But no. We were home no more than 15 minutes and she\u2019d stolen a sock off the bedroom floor. It turns out she was just on her best behavior for Jed and John.<\/p>\n

When another dog is here, Seva is the instigator. It\u2019s her territory and she doesn\u2019t need to mind her manners. In fact, she might be out to prove something. If there is wrestling in the house, Seva started it. Just ask Cash.<\/p>\n

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\"Seva<\/a>

Seva & Cash–oh, sure, they look cute when they’re sleeping.<\/p><\/div>\n

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2:<\/strong> not all dogs are a good match for each other. Percy was a big lap dog. All he wanted to do was lay down next to me and Scott. Seva would rather play until she crashes. Every time Percy settled in, she started biting his ear. Read about that weekend here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stubbs and Cash are better-suited for Seva’s favorite pastimes: run & wrestle. Here is Stubbs taking charge!<\/p>\n

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