King of the Stairs

Unlike lots of children today, dogs don’t need television, video games or computers to keep them entertained. They don’t even need expensive toys from the pet store to have fun.
 

They make up their own games and most of them require absolutely no equipment. Just dogs. Reacher, Panzer and Vega regularly chase one another around the furniture, play a dog-version of tag and have three-way wrestling matches. Recently, the two boys have put a new spin on the children’s game, “King of the Hill.” You  might know it as "King of the Mountain" or "King of the Castle." In this case, it’s “King of the Stairs.”

Just like in the children’s game, the object is for Reacher or Panzer to claim the landing at the top of the steps as his own. The other player, that is the other dog, attempts to knock the current “King” off the landing and take his place, thus becoming the new “King of the Stairs.”

In the human version, the "king" is usually removed by pushing, although there are rougher variations where kicking or punching are allowed. When Reacher and Panzer play, it’s no holds barred. There’s lots of snarling, biting, nipping, barking, lunging and anything else that might cross a dog’s mind. The canine "King of the Stairs" is much more aggressive than the children’s game, but even more enjoyable—if you're Reacher or Panzer.

Having dogs that keep themselves occupied is a good thing. Although sometimes it would be nice if they would lie down quietly and watch a little TV.