Until I married a wonderful man a month and a half ago, my household consisted of just my dog, Karma (and the occasional foster dog), and me. Now, I find myself managing a pack of dogs. Karma now has a sister (4 year old Great Dane/Coonhound mix named Daisy) and a brother (5 year old Basset Hound named Lou) who are constantly in her space, sharing her toys, her person, and eating right by her side.

If you’re planning to add a new dog to your household, or if you already have multiple dogs who are showing signs of behavior problems towards each other, read on!

Anytime a household goes from 1 dog to multiple dogs, expect a bit of chaos! Even the most loving, sociable dogs can get irked with having to constantly share their space with another canine. You may witness power struggles for Top Dog spot, an unwillingness to share food, toys, or affection, or a melding of behaviors (ie. One is a barker and one never has been… until now).

Be aware that your actions will define the status and stability of the pack. There are many things you can do to ensure a smooth process in integrating your dogs into one pack.

First, make sure at least one of the dogs is up to par on basic obedience and the rules of the house. If you want all the dogs to wait at the door, make sure at least one already can! Dogs will model each others behavior – especially if there is a reward for doing so. One of the easiest ways to teach a dog to Sit, for instance, is to have him watch another dog be rewarded for doing so.

Seeing power struggles? These often show themselves by toy stealing/guarding, growling as one dog walks by another, pushing to get out the door first or to greet you first, food guarding, or even a simple movement of one putting her head over the other’s neck in a dominant stance. Rest assured, you can help.

If there are power struggles going on in your house, evaluate your dogs objectively. Which one is the most stable and predictable? Which one does the best with people, outside noises, and general obedience commands? Which one is the natural leader – meaning who wins the most when these things take place? Make sure you identify the most stable dog before continuing with the following advice!

In my household, Top Dog spot goes to Daisy. Yes, Karma is better trained, but she is a fearful-reactive dog who can’t be trusted to tell the other dogs how to react in certain situations. Lou is the most laid-back and sociable, but he has no interest in winning against the other dogs – he’s more of the peace-keeper of the group – always willing to placate and give in. Daisy is the most powerful, most unwilling to back down (yet does not use any more force than is necessary), and is a natural canine leader. Now, Karma believed she was most capable to be leader and power struggles between the girls ensued. Here’s how to step in.

Sometimes, dogs can’t figure it out for themselves. Sometimes, if their power plays are allowed to continue, true dog fighting arises complete with blood and hospital visits. I have many clients who can attest to this.

Take your Top Dog and start doing the following in order to show the rest of your pack who you have chosen as the one in charge. These should help alleviate the pack insecurities of never knowing who is on top:

• Feed her first. Before any of the other dogs, Top Dog gets her food first.
• Let her go out the door first. Top Dog leads the way.
• When giving treats, give them to Top Dog first.
• Greet Top Dog first.
• During walks, shorten the other dogs’ leashes and allow Top Dog to walk slightly ahead of the others.

Keep in mind that being Top Dog could go to your dog’s head. If she is not feeling solid in her position, her dominant behaviors could get worse before they get better. Just remember – with great power, comes great responsibility. Top Dog status does NOT mean she gets to get away with any and everything. You must have a great relationship full of respect (on both ends) and obedience with your Top Dog.

She must be a disciplined, well trained and obedient-to-humans dog in order to be a respectable, fair leader. It is important, when she acts up, to correctly put her back in her place in front of the other dogs (without the use of physical force!). Ultimately, YOU still run the pack and the other dogs (and Top Dog) need to see that every day

If you can successfully establish who rules the roost in your absence, all of your dogs will feel more at ease. Not every dog wants to be Top Dog, but the vast majority will vie for it in the absence of a clearly established leader because it is a position that must exist. Dogs just want to know where they fit in and will be content with any position, as long as it is made clear where their order in the pack falls.

For help in properly controlling your Top Dog, you may find the Toy Guarding and the Are These Dogs Playing or Fighting articles helpful.

If you have any questions you would like to ask a Certified Dog Trainer, you can submit them right here at Naptown Buzz. Elizabeth Wilhelm, Certified Dog Trainer, will tackle the submitted questions, and give practical advice to solve common dog behavior issues. For more information about Elizabeth, you may visit her website at www.TrainingKarma.com.

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May 19-20

Watch eyes grow wide when horses charge and cannons roar as reenactors from across the country bring an1860s battle to life again. Young and old can learn firsthand what the Civil War was about from both Union and Confederate soldiers at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Create a memory sure to last a lifetime when you experience the Civil War for yourself. A battle reenactment will take place each day at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $14/adult, $13/seniors 65+, $9/youth (ages 2-12), free for members and youth under 2. Past and present military personnel receive free admission and half-price admission for immediate family members.

For more information, call (317) 776-6006 or (800) 966-1836 or visit www.connerprairie.org.

This post was submitted by Sarah Frey.

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On this episode of Naptown Buzz, your source for all things Indy, Mel interviews Q95′s Laura Steele.

SHOW INFORMATION

• Hosted by Brian Groce and featuring Mel McMahon
• Leave us a voicemail at 317-891-4627
• Snail mail us at:
  Naptown Buzz
  c/o: Surge Bucket Media
  PO Box 39178
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46239-0178
• Follow us on Twitter: @naptownbuzz
• Recorded, edited & encoded by Watershed Studio, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Naptown Buzz is a proud member of Surge Bucket Media & R.I.P. FM.

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On this episode of Naptown Buzz, your source for all things Indy, Mel asks James Hinchcliffe about planking at the Indy 500 in 2012 and other events he’s participating around town in May.

SHOW INFORMATION

• Hosted by Brian Groce and featuring Mel McMahon
• Leave us a voicemail at 317-891-4627
• Snail mail us at:
  Naptown Buzz
  c/o: Surge Bucket Media
  PO Box 39178
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46239-0178
• Follow us on Twitter: @naptownbuzz
• Recorded, edited & encoded by Watershed Studio, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Naptown Buzz is a proud member of Surge Bucket Media & R.I.P. FM.

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On this episode of Naptown Buzz, your source for all things Indy, Mel asks J.R. Hildebrand about his pitch before the Indianapolis Indians game on May 11, 2012.

SHOW INFORMATION

• Hosted by Brian Groce and featuring Mel McMahon
• Leave us a voicemail at 317-891-4627
• Snail mail us at:
  Naptown Buzz
  c/o: Surge Bucket Media
  PO Box 39178
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46239-0178
• Follow us on Twitter: @naptownbuzz
• Recorded, edited & encoded by Watershed Studio, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Naptown Buzz is a proud member of Surge Bucket Media & R.I.P. FM.

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Game 1 @ Miami
Sunday, May 13 at 3:30pm  on ABC
Result: Loss 86-95

Game 2 @ Miami
Tuesday, May 15 at 7:00pm on TNT
Result: Win 78-75

Game 3 @ Indiana
Thursday, May 17 at 7:00pm on ESPN
Result: Win 94-75

Game 4 @ Indiana
Sunday, May 20 at 3:30pm  on ABC

Game 5 @ Miami
Tuesday, May 22 (time TBD)

Game 6 @ Indiana*
Thursday, May 24 (time TBD)

Game 7 @ Miami*
Saturday, May 26 (time TBD)

Follow @Pacers on Twitter for updates.

*if necessary

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On this episode of Naptown Buzz, your source for all things Indy, Mel interviews Jay Howard on opening day of the Indy 500.

A YouTube Version is also available:

SHOW INFORMATION

• Hosted by Brian Groce and featuring Mel McMahon
• Leave us a voicemail at 317-891-4627
• Snail mail us at:
  Naptown Buzz
  c/o: Surge Bucket Media
  PO Box 39178
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46239-0178
• Follow us on Twitter: @naptownbuzz
• Recorded, edited & encoded by Watershed Studio, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Naptown Buzz is a proud member of Surge Bucket Media & R.I.P. FM.

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HomeFusion Broadband offers consumers a reliable alternative for residential broadband, especially in rural and remote areas with limited broadband choices. The new service provides connectivity for a wide range of devices, including computers and gaming consoles, using the Verizon 4G LTE network, which is now available in 230 markets covering more than two-thirds of the population in the United States.

“HomeFusion Broadband is another example of Verizon Wireless’ commitment to providing consumers with the most innovative products and services,” said John Granby, president-Indiana/Michigan/Kentucky Region for Verizon Wireless. “With HomeFusion Broadband, customers across the United States and Indiana, in towns large and small, will have the chance to link devices to the Internet and take advantage of the speed, coverage and connectivity offered by our 4G LTE network.”

Verizon began launching 4G LTE in Indiana in the fall of 2010, first at the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette.

HomeFusion Broadband uses a professionally installed, cylinder-shaped antenna attached to a customer’s home. The antenna’s innovative design includes multiple internal antennae, allowing the device to pick up the best Verizon 4G LTE signal available and transmit it to a broadband router inside the home. The router can connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices inside the home using Wi-Fi.

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, consumers should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second on the downlink and 2 to 5 megabits on the uplink.

HomeFusion Broadband has been available in some markets, including Terre Haute, Ind., since March. For more information about HomeFusion Broadband, go to www.verizonwireless.com/homefusionbroadband or visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

To check on residential eligibility for HomeFusion, visit Verizon’s 4G LTE website and enter your home address or zip code: http://network4g.verizonwireless.com/coverage.

This post was submitted by James Winkler.

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Klipsch Music Center is attempting to enhance the concert experience this year.  Fans can enjoy $4 beers, local food trucks at select shows, restaurant quality concession upgrades, increased services, and much much more.  Many of the shows will also offer a special Harrison College Lawn 4 pack.  The schedule for this summer’s concerts includes…

• Brad Paisley w/ The Band Perry, more – May 19
• X103 May Day feat. Staind, more – May 26
• Drake w/ J. Cole, more – June 1
• Miranda Lambert w/ Chris Young, more– June 8
• Dave Matthews Band – June 22 & 23
• Lady Antebellum w/ Darius Rucker, more – June 24
• Phish – June 28 & 29
• Toby Keith w/ Brantley Gilbert, more– June 30
• Zac Brown Band – July 7
• Vans Warped Tour – July 10
• Rockstar Mayhem Festival – July 15
• Iron Maiden w/ Alice Cooper – July 19
• Nickelback w/ Bush, more – July 21
• Wiz Khalifa & Mac Miller – July 28
• Big Time Rush w/ Cody Simpson, more – July 29
• Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band – July 31
• Def Leppard & Poison w/ Lita Ford – August 24
• Linkin Park & Incubus – August 25
• *Rascal Flatts – August 31
• KISS & Motley Crue – September 1
• Kelly Clarkson & The Fray – September 2
• Jason Mraz – September 14
• *Jason Aldean – September 15

The 2012 Concert Series at the Klipsch Music Center is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors including Klipsch, Coors Light, Taco Bell, SportEvents.com, Republic Waste Services, Cumulus, Oliver Winery, Harrison College, Brown Forman, Indiana Blood Center, Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, Marathon, Marsh, Modern Trailer Sales, SmarTravel, TruGreen, WTHR, Citi, Coca-Cola, 901 Tequila, Cholula, Hertz, Lamb Weston, Mars Candy, New York Times, Red Bull, Starwood Hotels, UPS and more.

For more information on Klipsch Music Center, visit www.­klipschmusiccent­er.­com.

• Facebook.com/KMCLiveNation
• Twitter: @kmclivenation
• The Official Live Nation App – Download it Today!

*Shows not yet on sale; but are part of the Modern Trailer Sales Country Megaticket. General public on sales tba.

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