Multi Dog Households - How do you manage?

I can't even remember what it's like to have just one dog. I can remember having only two, about 23 years ago, but ever since dogs have outnumbered humans in the Williams pack.

I still get the occasional dismayed look from people here and there when I tell them how many dogs I have. Granted, it's usually from a person who is having difficulty managing one dog, but I can only imagine what images they must be conjuring. I guess they picture dogs running amok all through the house, jumping on counters, laying all over the furniture, excessive barking, fighting, and just generally causing havok. Well the truth is, I must have the laziest dogs on the planet because they spend the majority of their day sleeping. They know that outside is for acting a fool, inside is for acting like they have some sense. Even the young ones, who my husband has dubbed, "the wild boys," know that running through the house is a big no no.

There is very little barking. I have neighbors who have one dog that I hear barking far more than all mine put together. My barkiest is little 3lb. Geoffrey, and truthfully his bark sounds more like an annoying chirp. Yes, they do lay all over the furniture, but the operative word is lay. They are calm, still, sleeping, and most importantly, they get off immediately when told. As far as dog fights - there are none. There is an occasional hissy fit here and there, all talk, and they cease and desist immediately when told. Not a drop of blood has ever been drawn.

I guess you could say that they get it. They understand the hierarchy and structure in this pack - I'm top dog, alpha bitch. Next in line is probably Mo Mo, my Standard Poodle. The rest of them fluctuate from position to position depending on what's going on. Tucker is off to the side, or should I say, is on a pedestal. I don't let any of the others mess with him. He is the prince, mommy's Golden Boy, and they know it. If it were up to Geoffrey, I can tell from his vocalizations and posture that he'd be King of the Dogs. Of course the others find this both odd and amusing. When he is jumping at them attempting to discipline, they just stand their in awe until I pick him up and plop him on the couch for his own protection. Mike, well, he doesn't really fit in the pack either. He's just their love bug.

Do I have too many dogs? Some might say so, but I disagree. I do feel guilty at times when I can't give each of them all the attention I'd like to but then I look at their lives. They are all happy dogs and quite frankly I don't think anyone on this planet would take better care of them than I do. They have a wonderful home with us, and just like a family with multiple human kids, we love them all, perhaps differently, but each one has his/her place. I wouldn't have it any other way.