Bella wants to compete with Chief on just about everything. I've learned of one instance where this can be helpful in encourage behaviors I want from her. For example, she and Chief stay in a crate during the day. Side by side. I don't yet trust them not to eat the house while I'm gone. When I go to let her out when I come home, she is so excited to see me that often she will not go out and will instead jump on me and then piddle on the floor. Not exactly the greeting I want.
But if I open the door, and let Chief out of his kennel first, he gets it. He rushes outside to take care of business, stretch, and play after a long day. Then I let out Bella. She rushes after him so that he can't find an advantage or interesting smell before she does. And it works like a charm.
Out the door she goes. No jumping. No piddling. Just because she is competitive with Chief.
Whatever works, right?
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