2) Initial introductions are huge and should always be supervised.  There is always a possibility things could get ugly, so it’s important for the meeting to have humans around. Read my earlier writing on meeting rituals.
3) It’s always a good idea to crate the new dog so she can observe the house from a safe place without getting too involved right away. This will also allow your existing dog(s) a way to get used to your new dog… but remember whenever the dogs are together they need to be supervised.
4) One dog will always be the leader, and not always the older one. We dogs look at things differently. Often humans assume just because a dog is older it should be the leader, and they interfere with the ranking process. This is the wrong thing to do, because it messes with the “natural way” of sorting things.

If you’re thinking about getting a new dog. You may want to talk to my dad first

Sure you see me here in the bloghesphere ,and think “Djembe is famous, but what does he do to give back?”

I’m glad you asked.

I am a contributing writer for my friend Max’s newsletter Keep On Wagging.

Where I share with humans and dogs alike training tips I learn from my dad. The best dog trainer in the worldstarting in Charlotte,

Anyways. Here is from last month’s issue of Keep on Wagging.

We dogs have meeting rituals. I think it might be a good idea to explain to humans so they understand it better.

Since we only like to use our front paws for walking, running, digging and to reach on top of the kitchen counter ;o) we use our tails to communicate from afar.

When I first see a dog in the distance I stop for a second to see if she’s friendly or not. If I see she is wagging her tail freely, I know she’s friendly, if it’s straight up but wagging I know she wants to know my intentions, and if that tail is stiff I don’t even talk to that bossy dog.

It’s the leader’s responsibility to meet the other pack and make sure we’re all safe. So, we sit and wait for dad to say it’s OK for us to meet.

Smelling is big! The nose, the butt, the genitals. To humans, this is handshaking, ID check, what you had for lunch, and how do you feel all rolled into one. It’s Huge!  And often interrupted by humans because of their misunderstanding of the ritual. It’s important to allow your dogs to completely sniff each other.

You humans just be sure and pay close attention to tails and heads while dogs are meeting to make sure everydoggy is nice.

I don’t use them. I don’t like them. I think there should be banned. But there are people who still insisting on tying their dogs to them.

We want Change! We want Change!

Since I send my brother in my place I don’t normally go to work with my dad. I prefer to hang out with mom at the house and make sure the squirells and cats don’t invade our yard. Plus We Ridgebacks think more like investors than employees and I refuse to trade hours for treats. That’s why God gave us little brothers.

But occasionally, if my dad is working with big and physical dog I might go with him.

Last week He was teaching “King” the Great Dane how to walk properly.
I asked King what was sooooo confusing about walking. Why did he pull on the leash? Even when his owners (having only 2 legs) clearly could not keep up with him.
He told me it’s Alpha’s responsibility to lead the pack. Even if his people are jerking on the leash and yelling “No!”
So, what is the best way for humans who insist on tying their dogs to them to have a peaceful walk with dogs on a leash?
Simply put, know the walk begins while you’re at your den. Establish who is alpha before you grab your leash because we (dogs) know we’re going for a walk waaay before you grab the leash because of the shift in your energy. The leash only confirms our knowing.
Expect and accept some excitement. After all, we ARE going for a walk. But wait for the dog to calm down before attaching the leash. Calmness before going out is the first step for calmness outside.
Everydoggy also knows the leaders must lead thru the door (every door to the outside).

Humans seem to not understand, just because you are “holding” a leash doesn’t make you the leader.
A practice my dad teaches his human clients is have their dog “Sit” on both sides of every door. Ex. human puts their dog to “Sit” at the door, human goes out and calls the dog, and as soon as the dog is on the other side of the doorway an immediate “Sit” command follows. (Every door! Regardless of how many doors there are to the outside world).

Everydoggy knows we Ridgebacks like to solve sophisticated problems.

I was reading My buddy Max’s blog  about how to have an accident and get away with it.

We don’t have cats… Thank God!……

They are evil and can’t even learn a simple commands.

As seen in the picture below they have criminal minds.

Anyways, I remember when I was a puppy thinking in my crate about the same thing, but I thought it’d be easier if my dad to open the door when I need to go outside than I find a catttt…yuck….eeck….. to blame it on.

One day I noticed my dad was ringing the bell he hung by the door every time we went out to potty.

I thought to myself he is already trained to open the door after ringing the bell,

let me see if he opens the door  if I ring the bell.

Did he not only open the door he was so happy I rang the bell he called mom and bragged about how I rang the bell and he opened the door and we went out to potty …. [ I just rang the bell instead of him]….

Ever since that day   If I need to go out to potty I just ring the bell and whoever is near opens the door for me.

It  also works  when I need to spend some Djembe time in the back yard to smell stuff.

I am happy to report because I  both my mom and dad were trained to open the door after I ring the bell I have never once had to pee or poop in the house.

As you can see in this (my) puppy picture I was happy.