Remarkable. I’ve had the same experience. I adopted my Dame (who’s named Canute after the only Danish king of England) when Ulysses, my AST cross, was about five. Canute’s predecessor never wanted to play with Ulysses, while Canute wanted to from the day I got him. Then, the first time Canute gave Ulysses a bit more of puppy nip than Ulysses wanted, he let out a horrible snarl, turned Canute onto his back, and had Canute screaming for mercy. It happened a few more times with Ulysses scaring the Hell out of Canute, while always being careful never to draw a any blood. Pretty soon Canute got the idea and they became each other’s absolute best friends and play mates, Ulysses the alpha and Canute the beta. Now, with Ulysses 13 and Canute 8, Canute looks to Ulysses for direction, almost like Obola looking to ValJar, his controller.
It has been my experience that it’s priceless to have an older dog to help guide a younger dog in the ways of being a proper dog.
Petunia has a ton of energy, but Isis really helps keep that in check.
petunia is at the age where she is now strong and fast enough to best Isis in an actual fight, but Isis is the absolute boss with her voice and her toothy grin.