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August 6, 2014

Negotiations: They’re Not Just For Humans

We negotiate with our pets every day. “If you sit, I’ll give you a treat.” “If you wait by the door, I’ll take you out.” But even when I’m not involved, I’ve noticed Eko and Penny can have some heated negotiations of their own. Penny had an
We negotiate with our pets every day. “If you sit, I’ll give you a treat.” “If you wait by the door, I’ll take you out.” But even when I’m not involved, I’ve noticed Eko and Penny can have some heated negotiations of their own. Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

Penny had an ok napping spot, but she wanted to negotiate for better real esate

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

My little Goldilocks tossed and turned but couldn’t find the right spot

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

So she began negotiations with a simple offer – “Move over!”

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

As you can see from Eko’s face, he was not amused by the offer. He wasn’t \going to let Penny just walk all over him

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

Correction, yes he was going to let Penny walk all over him. At least literally, if not in negotiations

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

Penny made a strong offer of “Move or I will bite your head”

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

But Eko’s counter-offer was also compelling, “I have a bigger bite and you have a smaller head. You move.”

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

Penny conceded she had possibly overplayed her position

Rhodesian RIdgeback, puppy, photo, adventure, dogs, marking our territory

In the end, both parties amicably resolved the dispute

Whether it’s for space on the futon, chewing rights for the antler, or viewing time at the window, I’ve noticed Eko and Penny have their own system of negotiation. I certainly appreciate them keeping the peace on their own.

If you have multiple pets at home, how do you find they settle their differences?

Comments for Negotiations: They’re Not Just For Humans

  1. meANXIETYme says:

    Butthead attempts negotiations, Le Moo gets up and walks away. 🙂 Unless it’s food, then Le Moo always wins (and Butthead always defers to her when it’s food).

  2. yes, Penny that’s the way things go, the one with the bigger mouth wins :o)

  3. Victoria says:

    When Muffin gets serious about Rigs not negotiating his way to her treat she uses her “i’m serious” growl, when Muffin wants to negotiate play time and Rigby wants to sleep she sits right next to him moving closer and closer until she is on him and when Rigs wants to play but Muffin isn’t in the mood he negotiates by tugging on her ears and barking at her – they have their own way of communicating and it usually works but every once in awhile negotiations get out of hand and i have to step in as the head negotiator-in-residence! ha ha

  4. raisingdaisy says:

    What a great series of photos. It’s so interesting to see how one pup will try their hand at becoming “top dog”, so to speak. Eko had to let Penny know that his spot is HIS spot, period, or else he’d end up on the floor and with no toys, etc. Those two work really well together under all circumstances. 🙂

  5. Kyla says:

    I try to make certain I have the upper paw in negotiations. Eko has size butt better get a plan together for the future when Penny gets bigger.

  6. Mazie wins against everyone but Ralphie 🙂 Anne is the sneak and Marty just sits on top of whomever he wants to move…works for everyone his size…simple but effective.

  7. Audrey says:

    Wow, Penny is getting so big now, imagine 2 giants jostling for a spot on 1 futon, Will, you’re in trouble. But they are great photos!!

  8. fredrieka says:

    I negotiated today for a side window in the car. I lost Old Cissy has a nasty growl, glad there were more windows woof

  9. pawedblog says:

    Hehe aww yes! Ours resolve their differences in much the same way… sometimes it gets sneaky though, especially where couch room is concerned. They have been known to get sneaky. The one that wants the place will go and get one of the toys belonging to the pup that HAS the place. Pup 1 will have a merry old time with Pup 2’s toy until Pup 2 gets down to reclaim said toy, and Pup 1 then jumps into the place! Works on all of them, all the time!
    Hugs, Carrie and pups x

  10. Emmadog says:

    Most of our negotiations are with cat bro Bert as he likes to hog “our” spots. We sit on him, he fights back, so we fight back. It is quite a process too.

  11. Such beautiful pictures! They tell the story perfectly. I have nobody but Mom to negotiate with. If I did, I think I would cave at every turn. My mouth is tiny. And I usually go along to get along.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  12. They do seem to be able to work things out on their own……..as for Sam – being an “only”, he gets WHAT he wants WHEN he wants it all the time!

    Pam

  13. fozziemum says:

    Now that is a wonderful way to negotiate guys….a bit of a walkover and some mild bitey face is the way to go 🙂 hugs Fozziemum

  14. Penny is getting so big already! Love the photo series. Jack & Maggie certainly have their negotiations – but it usually involves Jack just moving away. Typical male – avoids confrontations 😉 It’s funny – when it comes to food, Maggie totally backs away if Jack moves in, and on bed space or face time with mom and dad – Jack will make way for Maggie. Interesting…Hmmm I may need to do a post on that.

  15. Unrelated to the delightful theme of your post, I’m struck by the ridge on Penny’s back. It looks so pronounced in that second photo, and quite beautiful.

    I love how Eko held his own. Penny looks sweet snuggled up beside him.

    We have two cats (officially) and a third that visits 95% of his time. The visiting cat thinks he owns the place, and deposits himself in the middle of the rug or someones bed and assumes everyone is happy to see him. He makes us laugh. He gets along with my cat Lindy, and will share space with her on the bed. Nothing close to this snuggle fest, but not bad coming from the feline world.

  16. harrispen says:

    The only negotiations we have are when one just has to have the nylabone/antler that the other one has even though there are ten others scattered around the house. There usually aren’t any negotiations but rather “I will pester you until you walk away”. Often the one without the bone will seemingly give up but when the user finally finishes with the bone the other swoops in and takes it like it’s a prize. Makes me laugh every time!

  17. Way to hold your grown Eko, don’t let her bite your eye out.

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