Thor and Barley update

[MightyThor]

A recent post by SamsonsMom made me realize I hadn’t posted a Thor and Barley update in a while!

We brought Barley home almost a year ago and watching the relationship between these two boys grow has been a trip. To recap: Thor is a little over 5 years old and barley just turned 1. They are both yellow boys and barley is intact, Thor isn’t.

They share toys peacefully and then will launch into a rousing game of bitey face and tug (where the noises and photos make it look like I’m running a dog fighting ring). They will argue and growl and two seconds later I’ll find them cuddling and napping peacefully. It’s been super fun and they always keep me on my toes! I think the most useful command in recent months has been “ENOUGH” to calm them down in the middle of a wrestling match. Now that barley is bigger they go hard. Thor still has 15 lbs on him but barley makes up for it in attitude.

We take daily off leash walkies and the boys use it as an opportunity to chase and play biteyface.





But as soon as I think they aren’t getting along I walk in to scenes like this.







Thor has definitely evolved into his position as the older dog - he corrects barley as a cranky old man but still lets his puppy crazies come out in play time. Whereas barley has been a crazy puppy for the past year but I’m starting to see the amazing adult he’ll be when he’s mirroring Thor’s behavior.

The dynamic completely changed when we brought a second lab into the mix but it’s for the better! Double the lab love. [emoji3531]

[SamsonsMom]

Awesome update, awesome pictures!!

[smartrock]

Wow, I can no longer tell which guy is which although I'm sure you (usually) can! I don't even want to venture a guess in your photos.

I've had neighbors look fairly alarmed when our dogs are chasing each other and stop to wrestle around on the ground, complete with sound effects. I suspect they think I may be too cavalier about the activity when clearly they look and sound like blood will soon be flying. Of course, the one person who seems the most concerned owns a little shih tzu who needs to come barking and snapping at my dogs and my dogs look at her and play bow and wag their tails and jump back and forth, dodging her snapping and snarling. Sure, Chloe, come on in and play!

[SunDance]

Great pictures. Is that second one a full body slam/wrestling move, or was Thor actually just jumping over Barley? Either way...great shot!!!

[Macy]

Great pics. Great update.

[labsnewfy]

Great update! I loved watching my older pups teach the younger ones Tootsie and Coleman did a wonderful job raising Bailey and Sarah


(I didn't forget Ginger she came along a couple months before we lost our Coleman I had the pleasure with Tootsie help to teach Ginger.)

[bmathers]

Great update! Sounds like things are going super well for you all! I always wonder if I had a second dog, would I be able to more easily teach Diggity off leash walking.


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[MightyThor]

Great pictures. Is that second one a full body slam/wrestling move, or was Thor actually just jumping over Barley? Either way...great shot!!!

It was probably a full wrestling move! They tend to barrel over each other during chase/bitey face sessions without even noticing.

[MightyThor]

Great update! Sounds like things are going super well for you all! I always wonder if I had a second dog, would I be able to more easily teach Diggity off leash walking.


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I think it depends on the dog personality. Thor is a super clingy off leash dog - he never gets more than 100 ft or so more away from me before he is constantly checking in with me to make sure I’m close. But Barley is completely different. He’s way bolder and has more confidence to explore out of my sight. He definitely didn’t learn that from Thor.