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September 23, 2014

Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy learns an important lesson

For the past four months I have blogged about a wide number of important lessons for one Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. Today’s post is not one of those blogs. Today’s post is about an important lesson a different Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy learned with Penny’s help. It all started like any other trip
For the past four months I have blogged about a wide number of important lessons for one Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. Today’s post is not one of those blogs. Today’s post is about an important lesson a different Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy learned with Penny’s help. It all started like any other trip to the beach. Eko and Penny were tearing up the sand.Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

And making ridiculous faces, as usual

I turned away for a second and when I looked back I saw another Ridgeback pup accosting Penny. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

Like many knucklehead pups, this guy was over exuberant and did not heed Penny’s signals to disengage

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

Luckily my head of security rushed over to break up the scuffle

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

With Eko giving him the stink-eye, the pup trotted off

The pup’s humans apologized for the roughhousing, but I assured them I know all too well about the issue of reckless puppy playing. They kindly asked if I wanted them to move down the beach, but again I assured them. I had a feeling Penny was ready to pass on a lesson she’s still herself learning. When Eko trotted away, the puppy darted right back to tackle Penny. This time she was ready for him! Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

Not only did Penny chase him off... Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

She also chased him down

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

It’s fun tackling other dogs, but this guy found out it’s not so much fun when the dogs tackle back

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

Penny really let her new pal have it. You could tell his mind was blown that it was possible for another dog to push him around

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, adventure, dog beach, marking our territory

“Alright, alright, I give up! This chick is crazy!”

It was so fascinating/fun to watch the give and take between the two pups. The two romped and battled and tested each other to find the boundaries of the game. The first time Penny yelped (and Eko intervened) the other pup did not disengage. But I noticed later, after Penny made him yelp and she disengaged, the other pup started to catch on to the behavior.

The two played for the better part of a half hour and by the time we had to leave they were best friends. And Penny’s new friend left one lesson wiser – “Don’t go looking for trouble with other dogs. You might find it!”

Comments for Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy learns an important lesson

  1. It was great how you described Penny’s adventure with the pup, as if I would be there too. Thanks…to see the beach and the sand was like a sweet summer memory!

  2. Victoria says:

    great puppy training advice – you are wiser than your years!

  3. Elyse says:

    Good for Penny! Good for big brother Eko. And good for the mystery dog as well.

  4. fredrieka says:

    EKO is my HERO!!!!! Pawtastic

  5. barbsjolund says:

    This great of you, Will, to post this. Far too often humans don’t understand…..dogs are pack animals and the way pack animals sort things out is establishing their hierarchy when they meet. It sometimes is just a lot of “sniffing” and a little growl, while other times things have to get a little physical to get the job done which is what occurred here. I saw this happen quite often when my Ridgeback, Rooi, was alive. Nobody ever got hurt and it put things in order.

  6. Emmadog says:

    What a great story. We have to be careful because I learned if I yelp, Katie comes to my aide, but Katie doesn’t just step in. She is a guard dog and sometimes Mom is afraid Katie really wants to kill any dog that makes me yelp. Now that she is older she has mellowed, but she was very, very protective my first years. Bailie, well, she is kind of on her own, but we would save her if she needed saving.

  7. Kyla says:

    The only thing worth fighting over is food.

  8. raisingdaisy says:

    What a wonderfully protective big brother Eko is! Smart enough to step in when necessary, yet wise enough to let Penny learn her own lessons when she has things under control. And Penny is growing smarter and smarter by the day. I’m impressed with them both! (I shivered a little when I saw people walking on the beach in your photo – it was 49 degrees here this morning, the house has a very distinct chill and isn’t warming up at all!)

  9. cdog5 says:

    Love this post! Your dogs are adorable, and your message here is so important. Glad you shared! 🙂

  10. Ugh…ridgebacks are one of my favorite breeds! They’re so gorgeous and wild. I love your blog, btw!

  11. Maybe it’s…puppy love!

  12. That’s awesome guys, you sure taught that dog a lesson!

  13. Laura Mc says:

    Oh my gosh, that picture of Eko coming to Penny’s defense was maybe one of my favorite so far. I love that all he had to do was give “the LOOK”. Perfect.

  14. Peg Swoboda says:

    That’s my dog, Tripp! 🙂 My parents said he loved your dogs. Thanks Penny and Eko for teaching my pup a lesson!

  15. Eko the hero! It’s amazing watching pups learn boundaries! Glad Penny could teach the other pup some proper play!

  16. fozziemum says:

    What a wonderful learning experience for Penny..and the pup…and luckily it ended really well..great pics Loves Fozziemum

  17. Good job sweet Eko running in to calm down that hassle. Looks like this turned out to be a great lesson learned for both pups and they ended up having some fin together. Hugs and nose kisses

  18. Bravo Professor Penny! Lesson learned and lesson given……..all in a couple of hours at the beach!

    Pam and Sam

  19. Marcela says:

    Lol. You go Penny:-)

  20. Great story. I love when they romp like that and learn to play together. Our dog Sally’s (a petite chocolate Lab) best friend turned out to be big Borzoi. When they first started playing together she would end up on the ground frequently, but after a while she learned how to dart around him and eventually, well eventually they actually kind of fell in love. So this guy may be Penny’s first beau. And good on you Eko for watching out for little sis.

  21. Dottie and Tuffy-Cat says:

    This was a good reminder for me NOT to get in the middle of Tuffy’s skirmishes with other cats. He’s pretty much learned (the hard way) not to challenge them if there’s more than one at a time. If he’s lying under the bushes in the front yard when another cat comes around, he will usually get up and go in the house. With stray dogs in the area, I make sure he goes in. But, he has a couple of dogs who are valued friends. And their playtimes together are pretty funny. We can’t be too careful with our pets safety; it’s our job to look out for them. We can’t all have ESI for protection. lol
    Dottie and Tuffy-Cat

  22. Rene L. Hester Jensen says:

    Rene’ L. Hester “Better one day of energy & determination than a 100 years of idleness!” ~The Dhammapada Sent from my iPhone

    >

  23. Great lesson shared Will! You got some fantastic pictures 🙂 So glad that summer gave you one more beautiful week!
    Marty’s Mom

  24. pawedblog says:

    Brilliant! The three of you should offer services as dog training teams. How great for the couple to have met you all that day!
    Hugs, Carrie & Pups x

  25. I am so glad I didn’t miss this. This was completely fascinating! I am also in awe of Eko and the dynamics that he and Penny share. He REALLY treats her like he is a big brother! (which he is)……..fabulous!

  26. […] And like all puppies before him, Tripp learned wrestling is a give and take […]

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