When recommending the best sort of homes for our adoptable shelter dogs, I've noticed that it is suggested that some should go to homes with other dogs with "good manners." This has made me wonder if my girl has these "good manners" or not. My Old Dog is Mr. Diplomacy himself, the sweetest, most non-confrontational fellow you could ever meet. My Corgi Lilliput, on the other hand, knows all the doggy rules, and is prepared to follow them, and enforce them if necessary. Especially with puppies and rude dogs who mess with her Old Dog.

So- Is the Corgi who has a very strong understanding of doggy manners the well-mannered dog that is needed? The drill-instructor, so to speak? Her only manners flaw at the dog park, I think, is in thinking that EVERY puppy is hers to correct. And that any transgression against HER Old Dog needs serious correction, as if a coyote had violated her sheep. She is trained in obedience and agility so I'm only questioning her doggy manners. Is this even the right question?

Or - Is the gentlemanly, willing to yield, friendly Old Dog what is needed by these rescue dogs? Is it only the example of a well-behaved dog with HUMANS what these dogs need? He won't correct misbehavior on the part of a rowdy dog, but he will behave nicely around humans. So would rowdy untrained dogs pick up on this, or do they need the influence of the Corgi who is willing to whip them into shape?

As a side note, the Old Dog taught Lilliput about the doggy door, and I believe did most of her housebreaking for us. But Lilli was ready to learn, and not a shelter dog identified as needing help.

Julia