Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

I Said No…Day Two Hundred, Eighty Five

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There are a lot of people who work with dogs, who will tell you not to use the word “No” with your dog.

I’m not one of them.

For me “No” is the same things as “ACK” which is a word (sound really) designed to deter your dog from whatever naughty thing they are doing.   It’s a marker really, similar to a clicker which reinforces positive behavior; “No” is a marker which says “that’s not a good choice,” “stop doing that” “look at me for direction.”

I use “No” a lot.

Especially with Delilah.

“No” (when I can tell she’s thinking of taking off on me during our walk.)

“No” (that’s not where you are supposed to be, when I am working in the kitchen and she is under my feet.)

“No” (those dishes are in the dishwasher to be washed not licked clean by you.)

“No” (get your nose of the counter.)

No is a very good marker if it makes your dog stop and look to you for direction.

This afternoon after our walk Sampson went outside to cool off in the pool.

I was in the bedroom and I heard the screen door shut and I knew he was coming into the house soaking wet.  I ran to the closet for a towel and as I did so I saw him step into the house; I said “No, stop.”

I didn’t even say his name, just “No, stop.”

He was waiting for me when I got to him with the towel.

No is a word you can use with your dog.

Who's Eating The Food?…Day Two Hundred, Eighty Four

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Until recently anytime I found a bit of destruction I assumed it was Delilah.

That stopped the day we got up and found the bits of shredded bags which I KNOW came from the top of the refrigerator.

Having said that I have to back-track even further to how I feed the dogs.

When I pull the bag of frozen necks out of the freezer, I like to leave them out a bit before putting them in the fridge, it helps to make the separation a bit easier.  When it comes time to use them, most mornings the chicken necks are still slightly frozen, at best they are refrigerator cold, so I set them in some lukewarm water.

This morning as I was getting the bowl ready for the necks, I noticed something unusual about the bag.  Can you see it?

Typically I would have blamed this on Delilah, but now I’m not so sure and it leaves me wondering did Bob get at it?  I’m fairly certain Delilah would have made a much bigger hole?  What do you think?

If you thought this was a Saturday morning blog hop, you would have been right.

Get your link here.

Saturday Morning Blogger Hop

Follow-up Friday….Day Two Hundred, Eighty Three

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There are two posts I would like to comment on tonight.

Doggie Daycare – Author’s Note

Sampson and Delilah will be going to doggie daycare twice a week.   I choose Tuesdays and Fridays because I feel like it spaces their fun out, and gives them enough rest time in between visits.

Today was their second visit to daycare and their first Friday (at least in recent memory.)  Sara’s mom Sue was opening this morning, I had heard lots about Sue and seen her briefly in passing, but we hadn’t officially met.   Sue was super nice and very comfortable with the dogs.  A huge difference from when the center was sold last year and the new owners took over with nary a hello, how are you?

I’m quite comfortable with my dogs attending daycare at The Mellow Mutt and very happy to have a functioning facility once again.

You Win Some, You Lose Some – Author’s Note

After reading everyone’s questions and comments today I realize how poorly I handled the situation last night.  My intentions were good and in my eagerness to help I made a rookie mistake.  What I should have done was ask the woman in she’d mind if I tried using a treat with her dog; and then followed her lead. 

When I go back next week I will apologize for being inconsiderate, and explain to her the success I’ve been having with Delilah and let her know I am there if she has any questions.  The last thing I want to do is alienate someone from trying positive reinforcement training.

I thank you all for your questions, comments and suggestions; I appreciate every single one of them.

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