Zara (left) and Kalsha are 2 of the best working dogs anyone could wish for. Intelligent, diligent and with a great sense for cooperation, they have been guarding my place and my precious birds well. With a little encouragement, their cooperation is now even extended to the raising of their 2 litters. As can be seen from this video, Zara, the first-time mum, will readily perform the task of stimulating urination and defecation for a puppy nursing on Kalsha (and vice versa). Once again, these 2 bitches have shown to me that there is indeed, a deep mutual understanding and a great sense of cooperation existing between them. Please take note that many other bitches will not hesitate to kill the new-born pups of other bitches if they have access to them and especially if they are also nursing their own. Communal nursing (and alloparenting) is not the norm for domestic dogs and any attempts at this must be carried out cautiously and with a good understanding of the animals involved.

• published: 10 Dec 2013
• views: 112