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CaraT · 02-20-2014, 09:58 AM

Can you give us some tips for how to best make the loss of our alpha dog Zoee (rehomed, here 5 years) bearable for Leeza and Darby (puppy mill rescues, Leeza here 3 years and Darby here 2 years)? Leeza and Darby are followers, not leaders they have always followed Zoee’s lead. Leeza is sticking close to me and Darby has been more off on his own. We are having a hard time getting Darby to eat—he only eating 1 meal a day, not two. We put the food bowls down and he scampers down stairs to the den. He come back up to go out to pee/poop after mealtime. We have always tried to do things with the dogs in a consistent manner: meals, treats, outside to pee/poop. My husband and I use the same terms for everything and say the exact same things to the dogs so it is easier for them to understand what is expected. Zoee was such a leader that she always demanded what was needed: time to go out, want food, time for a treat, and grrr you need to fill up the water bowls. I don’t think Leeza and Darby know how to ask for things because Zoee always asked for everything for everyone. What can we do to make it easier for Leeza and Darby?
THX!
Cara & Ben Tenuta

02-20-2014, 09:58 AM	#1
CaraT Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA ,US Posts: 27	Help--Alpha girl died--2 rescues at a loss Can you give us some tips for how to best make the loss of our alpha dog Zoee (rehomed, here 5 years) bearable for Leeza and Darby (puppy mill rescues, Leeza here 3 years and Darby here 2 years)? Leeza and Darby are followers, not leaders they have always followed Zoee’s lead. Leeza is sticking close to me and Darby has been more off on his own. We are having a hard time getting Darby to eat—he only eating 1 meal a day, not two. We put the food bowls down and he scampers down stairs to the den. He come back up to go out to pee/poop after mealtime. We have always tried to do things with the dogs in a consistent manner: meals, treats, outside to pee/poop. My husband and I use the same terms for everything and say the exact same things to the dogs so it is easier for them to understand what is expected. Zoee was such a leader that she always demanded what was needed: time to go out, want food, time for a treat, and grrr you need to fill up the water bowls. I don’t think Leeza and Darby know how to ask for things because Zoee always asked for everything for everyone. What can we do to make it easier for Leeza and Darby? THX! Cara & Ben Tenuta