Love Dog Las Vegas, Canine Behavior & Training

My two men

I never thought I could love a little man dog but now I am in love with two!

There is just something about the little boys. Kirby has a way of snuggling up soooo close and Benny just has to give me that look.

Usually as a trainer we recommend bringing the opposite gender into a home with a dog, especially an older dog, as Kirby was when I adopted Benny. But with a little knowledge and a lot of patience you can make the same sex pairing work.

It took about six months for me to allow them to play together unsupervised. Benny was so much younger and more active and more dominant. Kirby was fragile and hurt the third day they were together. Benny went to play with Kirby and Kirby slipped on the floor and dislocated his hip. Off we were to the vet for several weeks of healing.

Benny visiting Kirby at the vet

My biggest concern wasn’t Kirby’s hip. I knew my vet would take good care of him and his prospects for a full recovery were excellent.

No, I was worried about the two dogs now being apart. Benny would start to think “Well, I got rid of him fast!” and Kirby would think “I guess she’s keeping him and I’m gone.”

So I brought Benny to be with Kirby while he recuperated at the vet. I had them on a blanket on the floor together so they could sniff and just be together with me. Kirby learned to walk on three legs as his fourth was bandaged way up high to allow the hip to heal. Benny learned during this time to “take turns” being petted and to have some impulse control. And Kirby learned to love his brother.

When Kirby was brought home they continued their “training” together as brothers. I walked them together and Benny had to follow Kirby as he went so much slower. Benny learned to respect the Top Dog in the family and wait his turn for everything – meals, cuddling, having his leash put on, everything.

Benny always looks to rest next to Kirby now

Perhaps because Benny saw Kirby at the vet so much and understood his limitations he developed a very strong sense of empathy and compassion.  Soon I would find them together, Kirby curled in a ball against the wall (his favorite spot) and Benny right up against him. Benny started watching over Kirby as Kirby had done with Coco.

Sometime the path to becoming a new family isn’t so easy and it takes a lot of creativity and patience, but in the end I have two boys who are true brothers and they have come to depend upon one another and love one another.