The other one.

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The dog’s one and only real squabble was over a Kong.  An empty Kong that Jake felt the need to protect from Melvin.  Most of the advice I got after this incident was to not give them treats together, be careful with food guarding and/or to avoid Kongs all together.  I love advice, and often I listen to it.  But before we quit group Kongs all together, I wanted to at least try to create a world where the boys could both have a Kong, UNDER SUPERVISION, without a civil war ensuing.  I had to try.

My plan was to try to teach Jake about ‘the other one’.  The other one being the other Kong.  If one Kong was being occupied, there was always ‘the other one’.  I guess in a way I was teaching him to trust me to know how to count to two.  That we don’t have to ration Kongs.  To have faith.  We’re lovers, not fighters.  So I bought A LOT of Kongs and I put them all over the floor (again, always under supervision) and I would sit on the floor and give Jake an empty Kong and give Melvin an empty Kong and pick up other Kongs and say ‘the other one’.  Get the other one.  Here’s the other one.  Where’s the other one.   I constantly repeated ‘the other one’ when Jake would move to a different Kong. Again, the Kongs were all empty so the boys energy level stayed pretty low.  I did this Kong desensitization daily. I’m not sure they could have been more bored, I know I couldn’t have been.  And that was exactly what I wanted, ho-hum attitudes towards Kongs.  I opted out of treating them for good behavior during these sessions, I didn’t want to introduce food until I was certain they could handle empty Kongs around each other.  Weeks and weeks and weeks of empty Kongs.

Then one day I gave them each a Kong, with a treat in it.  Jake ate his and Melvin ate his.  Jake finished first and went over to see Melvin’s.  I would say get ‘the other one’ and he’d go back to his Kong.  When Melvin was done and he’d go check out Jake’s Kong, I’d say it again and Jake would leave his Kong to Melvin and check out Melvin’s last one.  If one Kong is occupado, move on to THE OTHER ONE.

Now, they exchange Kongs mid snacking on them.  Melvin is better at getting the treats out and Jake is the master of licking the peanut butter out of the top.  Look at my duo go! The yin and yang of Kongamania!   I still watch them diligently, and always will.  You just never know when something could spark a fight. But for now,  we have peace! And a lot of Kongs.

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29 thoughts on “The other one.”

    • fidofetchphotography – Fido Fetch Photography specializes in creative dog-umentary. Owner Amy uses her photojournalism background to give a fresh approach to capturing your dog's character. She's been known to crawl, roll and even bark to get the photographs you want! Fido Photo Sessions are on location in the Greater Kansas City area. You and your family are welcome to join as well!
      fidofetchphotography on said:

      I agree. Love the bowl of Kongs photo =)

      Reply ↓

      • Aw, thank you!! As for the Kongs, I got tired of them rolling off the counter! The bowl seemed so genius to me!

  2. fidofetchphotography – Fido Fetch Photography specializes in creative dog-umentary. Owner Amy uses her photojournalism background to give a fresh approach to capturing your dog's character. She's been known to crawl, roll and even bark to get the photographs you want! Fido Photo Sessions are on location in the Greater Kansas City area. You and your family are welcome to join as well!
    fidofetchphotography on said:

    Now THAT is a lot of Kongs. And a LOT of dedication – very impressive! I like that you did not give up and knew your dogs well enough to try a new training technique that works for them. That is pretty awesome.

    Reply ↓
  3. Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie – Kansas City, MO – Daniel & I bought our first house in Waldo (a cool neighborhood in Kansas City, MO) and moved in on June 11, 2009. We live with Turk (pit bull mix) and Rufus (chihuahua/Jack Russell mix) and spend our days fixing up our little bungalow, fostering homeless pitties and exploring our city. Come join us on our little adventure!
    Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie on said:

    1. This is an awesome exercise. You are so smart.
    2. That basket o’ Kongs is the best thing I’ve ever seen. You need to post a photo of that on the Kong FB page. I’m pretty sure you could become a Kong spokeswoman and get free Kongs for life.
    3. You are awesome and this whole post is awesome.

    Reply ↓
  4. Ogee – I am a nascent gardener, rescuer, and photographer, chronicling the journey of the dogs at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary near Sacramento, CA - and the Memorial Garden we have devoted to them.
    Ogee on said:

    They are a direct reflection of our patience and persistence. And seriously…how is your house so spotless with two beasties running around?? 🙂

    Reply ↓
      • Ogee – I am a nascent gardener, rescuer, and photographer, chronicling the journey of the dogs at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary near Sacramento, CA - and the Memorial Garden we have devoted to them.
        Ogee on said:

        I’m not buying that. I suspect your house ALWAYS looks like that! 🙂

  6. When you say a lot of Kongs, you mean a lot of Kongs, don’t you. I am constantly running around the house making sure that there are two of everything or none available, so I am totally stealing that exercise! You are a genius. I just hope it works, because Julius is kind of…simple.

    Reply ↓

  9. That sounds like an awesome way to deal with the issue. Obviously you started out with only a mild resource guarding, but you managed to nip that in the bud really effectively. I might actually try doing something similar with my dogs, because Pallo can be very vocal whenever he has food and thinks Koira might want it (whether or not she actually does).

    Reply ↓

    • Yes, I’m so happy the issue presented itself early so we could figure it out. I really tried to figure out what Jake’s issue was. My guess was Kongs were not a part of his previous life and having one made him protective of it. What’s better than having just one? Having too many to worry about!

      Reply ↓
  11. faithtrustnpups – Faith, Trust, & Foster Pups is a combination blog for animal welfare, humane education/positive training, recognizing the beautiful bond that exists between pets and their people, and other fun stuff. I share information about adoptable pets in the DC metro area, promote animal rescue and resources to support adopters and fosters, and share stories and lessons related to the dogs I care for. Much of my writing is for especially my "foster failure" with some specific fear-based issues. In an effort to help understand often wonderful, sometimes challenging dogs like him better, I learn to understand myself. Together, we share our stories, and walk together, leash in hand, and in building faith and trust within one another and within ourselves.
    faithtrustfosterpups on said:

    Love this. They look so happy and copacetic! I can’t imagine life without Kongs in my house, and am so glad that you didn’t let one incident hold you back from keeping them in play, while keeping the peace!

    Reply ↓
  13. writetowag – Woof!!!! My Cairn Terrier blog is dedicated to you...the faithful dog owner. If you are a dog lover and enjoy pictures, poems and advice on how to care for your senior dog, then please check out writetowag. My Cairn Terrier, Trevor, has a simple motto: "Bark less, wag more." Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all practiced that? ;-) --Barking from Nashville, TN
    writetowag on said:

    LOVE the Kong Bowl!!!!

    Reply ↓

  14. Love the bowl! The last picture of the boys with their kongs is soooo cute.:) Awesome training idea, so glad it worked!
    We can’t have kongs since Duke rips the ends off in a few minutes, it’s so ridiculous.

    Reply ↓

  18. Pingback: Our very first, caption this! | oh melvin (and yo jake)

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