Kathy, it's not so bad. Yes, Bertha does have a screw loose, but not with her pack. Yes, she is dominant and likes to pick on poor retarded Sissy, but Sissy is so submissive that she begs to be beaten up on. I do keep my ear on the tone of voice Bertha uses, she is a noisy player. But for the most part I just let them have at, no one gets hurt and both girls get what they need for their pack position. Bertha is watched with company, like a hawk. If it is someone we know I only worry about the fist few minutes, even kids, if she knows them. But new people are a real issue for her. However, I made a commitment to her the day she was conceived. I will care for her till death if need be. And, I just added to my pack. Mom's 11 year old bitch has joined us of necessity. I have 4 bitches and one dog. The only real complaints come from the one dog, he likes girls just fine, but he has on one to pal around with. I don't need another dog. Maybe he will make friends with the boy pup I just adopted to my neighbors, and maybe Mr Bucko, alpha will not let him be a friend and will only be alpha to him. Time will tell. But really, it is not an "on your toes round the clock" thing, just new people. Bertha is amazing with dogs though. I use her in lessons. sheila --- On Mon, 12/29/08, Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx <Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx> wrote: From: Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx <Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Not so much... depression and dogs To: marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, shadowland22000@xxxxxxxxx, dgshwpromo@xxxxxxxxx Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 6:32 AM Yes but the difference is Carolyn, Sheila herself has said on numerous occasions she has one bitch with a screw loose (I'm paraphrasing), who she can't trust and another that picks on the one w/issues. It's probably a household where you'd have to constantly be on your toes...you wouldn't put up w/ that <G>. Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions visit www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds In a message dated 12/28/2008 5:26:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Hi Sheila; I have never found our dogs to be "waiting" for a sign of weakness in leadership to take that role away from myself or my husband if the opportunity presents itself. Just the opposite. One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================