"Mother Hen"

That's Lucas on the left (West coast dog. Boisterous. Curious. A yearling.) And Molly on the right (East coast dog. Authoritative. Patient. Mature.) Buddies.

My sister, her husband and I were all curious to see how the meeting of Molly and young Lucas would go down. From past experience with other younger dogs, I expected Molly to be the disciplinarian. Lucas, the juvenile that he is, and very curious, is still learning a few things. He doesn’t quite know how to greet other dogs "politely" and so nips and barks and snaps and growls can erupt on both sides.

At the start, Molly and Lucas were at odds. Lucas, with a lot of barking and lunging and Molly totally not impressed and definitely not pleased. I could tell my sis was upset that they weren’t getting along, but her hubby and I kept reassuring her that they will work it out. Within 2 hours of being together, Molly had Lucas pinned belly up. She was growling and lip curling and Lucas was madly barking and screaming, but no biting. As soon as it started it was over and Molly (and we) got the reaction we were waiting for… Lucas got up, crouched, head low, nuzzled Molly in her neck. A beginning! Over the next couple hours if Lucas approached her in a manner too forward for her liking, she would curl her lip and stomp forward and he would back off.

Later on in the day, we 3 humans and 4 canines were having fun on the agility equipment. Suddenly... an outburst of barking by Lucas, then high pitched squealing. We convened on the sight of Molly and Lucas and we could not help but laugh. There was no flying fur, no bloodshed. Just Molly and Lucas. Lucas was laying on his side helplessly wailing as Molly sat there, ON him. Read again… She was sitting. On. Him. Molly would turn her head to stare at him and curl her lip.


When he didn't 'get it' she would snarl and show her teeth.

And she did not let up until he stopped making noise and struggling to get free. The moment he was quiet, she slowly sat up and released him. But not without throwing a dirty look his way.


From that moment on, Lucas and Molly never had a ‘situation’ again. In fact, Lucas really liked Molly. He started to follow her on trails, and they trotted shoulder to shoulder. Lucas looked for her all the time and greeted her respectfully whenever they met – lowered head, a lick on the muzzle. They had made nice-nice!


Playing nicely, chasing, running, in the water in the meadow, through the woods. They greeted other doggies together. Maybe Molly was giving Lucas tips?


They even slept on the same couch together. I know, right? Awwww!

Molly like a good mama, knew how to set Mr. Lucas straight. That's my “Mother Hen.” And you know what is funny… she knows she did good.