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May 18, 2011

We are trying to raise 2 littermates at one time. I have some questions.

Full Question:
Your puppy video arrived in the mail this weekend and we watched it, twice. Good job! The video covered a lot of ground, but I still have more questions.

I read your article on why you shouldn't have two dogs at once. Unfortunately, we already have the two pups, and we want to make the best of it. Based on what you've written, I assume we could have some problems with them not accepting us in their "pack" of two. What are some warning signs to watch out for in case they decide we don't belong in their puppy pack?

Now here's my question on prey drive. I watched you make the ?ball-and-rag-on-a-string? toy in your video and I've made such a toy for the pups. The female, Akira, seems to have a strong prey drive because she took to chasing the ball with reckless abandon. The male, Hercules, is more reluctant. He will give chase, but without the wholehearted zest that Akira does. I move the ball slower around him, so that at least he gets to catch it every once in a while. The fact that he doesn't hustle could be a lack of energy, or a lack of prey drive (or some other cause for all I know). Both pups are 3 months old. What can I do to diagnose his problem and build his prey drive?

I look forward to hearing from you. From the pages of testimonials on your web page, you are obviously in high demand, so I thank you in advance for your time.

I have read that you will no longer be breeding. I wish you success in your new direction.

Sincerely,
Yvette
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
First, in my opinion you are making a serious error in how you are raising these dogs. It is wrong to look at your situation as allowing the dogs to have their own pack - the correct way to look at it is that you have a family pack and you are allowing them to become a part of your pack - on your terms - not their terms.

I would not allow these dogs to live together. They should be kept separated all the time, (by crates or different kennels), except when you are present to supervise. This is the only way you will ever have normal dogs as adults. You may not like to hear this, but I am 100% correct about this. You can not re-invent the wheel and you can not do something I can not do with dogs.

Check your dogs for worms. This may be the problem with the male, also for a heart murmur. This could affect his energy. If it's not medical it's genetic and you have to work with him. Put more animation in the toy, make the ball jump just as the pup sniffs it. Put some life in it.

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