12/07/2025
We have learned a bit more about Bert and Bella since we integrated them with some of the other dogs. They both do quite well with other dogs. Bella has zero issues with them and Bert only has a dominance issue that can be controlled. He occasionally tries to rule the pack he is with but we can deter and stop that behavior. His constant barking and territorial aggression has pretty much stopped. He goes out into the yard and plays with the others. We do still try to crate him separately at night because sometimes he gets bowed up if he shares a crate or confined space but he has definitely improved since he first got here. He has been around males and females, large and small dogs and has behaved much better than we expected, after seeing his initial reactions to everyone when he first arrived. We were sure he would get his butt kicked acting like that but it never happened and we are happy to know that he can settle down. Bella is just a good girl all around and would be a great snuggler! We really have had no issues with her at all, other than the normal timid, scared behavior nearly all dogs exhibit when they first get somewhere new.These pups are siblings and have been together their whole lives, however, we really feel that they would do better in separate homes. Bert would turn his frustrations on Bella sometimes and it wasn't fair to her. We do not know if that was new behavior from all of the changes in his life or if he always had done that but they are definitely not bonded in a way that it would be detrimental to either to find them homes apart. We were told they are about 9-10 years old and, like Crystal, they do not look or act their age. Bella is more mellow than Bert. Bert is still very active but both love comfort. They are both crate trained here overnight. They are used to a quiet environment as they belonged to an elderly lady who ended up having to go to a nursing home. We do not recommend them for small children but older kids who can respect their space should be fine. We think that they will both make wonderful companions.
