Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this week is over. What a horribly sad week it’s been in Blogville. First Sue and the Talking Dogs lost their Jeffie, then Maggie lost Lucas and I also read that Tillman the skate boarding dog passed. Enough already!
On a something not so depressing note, you may have noticed I’ve not been visiting your blogs a whole lot, that’s because I’m finally back at work on my book. Thanks to the encouragement of friends and fellow bloggers along with so many of you who told me they want to read it, I’ve been invigorated!
You Make Me Laugh – October 25, 2015
Earl Lover asked, “Bless him! Is he hoping you bring back some food?”
I’m not sure, I think he’s just making sure I don’t leave him. (Like there is a chance of that!)
Meagan & Merlin said, “Merlin was in the drivers seat and as he turned around he beeped the horn with his butt lol.”
Hahaha, Sampson’s done that once or twice himself, and then he startles himself with the beep! Did Merlin startle himself?
Emma said, ” Mom wants a mini ring camera she can wear 24/7 that is also weather/water proof for those times she needs a photo but has no camera or phone on her. She so wants a photo of Bailie in bed with all her paws in the air, but has no camera…she could bring on up to the bedroom, but no, she always forgets!”
That’s a great idea!! I never seem to have the camera handy when I want it! Maybe we should start leaving cameras in every room. LOL
Jan K said, “I love it when they sit in the driver’s seat! I also love it when I see dogs and they just stare intently at the place where their human disappeared to. Our beagle Kobi used to whine every time he saw a person, even when the car was moving. It was like he just wanted to meet every person he saw!”
Sampson is the same way except he does it on our walks. He gets a little jaunt in his step and barks at the person, if I tell him no, he’ll whine. It makes me laugh, he’s so social.
Julie said, “Oh my goodness, our windows are covered in dog nose prints 🙂 Cocoa loves to ride and we try and bring her as much as possible. She gets into everything though, even in the car, so we have to make sure we get everything out and she will turn on the windshield wipers, the lights and once she had the rearview mirror off. Luckily it popped back on easily!!
LMAO that’s funny! I don’t think mine have ever knocked the mirror off!! Did you laugh?
Jackie Bouchard said, “The funny thing about Rita in the car is that she will never get in the front seat. I mean NEVER. I can leave an open bag of treats (and I have done) sitting in the front console and she won’t even touch it, because she’s afraid to come up front (for some bizarre reason).”
Wow, that’s impressive. I might be able to do that with Sampson if I told him to leave it, but Delilah would literally wedge herself between the floor board and the gas pedal if she thought she could score some food. It’s kind of sad actually.
We’re Trick Training So You Can Win Treats
I apologize for those of you who tried to use the rafflecopter, we had a little SNAFU with it, but it is working now!
So, in retrospect I’m thinking maybe I should have found the video of Lady BEFORE I started trying to train my dogs. And truthfully, it’s been about two years since I’ve really worked on trick training with Delilah. I should have thought it through a little bit more. Ah well, you live and learn. Next time I’ll be better prepared.
Emma said, “Well, don’t feel bad, I’m not a trick dog either! We have learned a lot about rewards lately which has been one big reason Bailie nailed her title yesterday. Never be stingy, pay big and with high value treats, but not always. Random no treat or lower value mixed in with huge reward, and not even for big accomplishments keep us dogs in the game making it fun with the unknown. It’s working great for us right now.”
That’s pretty brilliant Emma, I never thought of that. I’m going to start doing that. Usually I save the big value treats for the BIG things, but I can see the benefit in it working that way.
Does anyone else use this method? If so, how does it work for you?
Jan said, “My first impression is that your dogs must not have eaten for days, but then I remembered what breed they are. Loved your video.”
ROTFL Well truthfully it WAS just before breakfast…and technically they hadn’t eaten in about 10 hours…but yes, that is definitely Labrador in that video! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jan K said, “Sorry that I had to chuckle quite a bit at your video! That’s what the two girls are like when I try to train them. Cricket is totally focused on the treat, and Sheba swats me with her paw if she doesn’t know what else to do.”
I wanted you to laugh, so thank you. I started looking at the videos I’d shot and I thought, there’s only one way to go with this thing. 🙂 It is HARD to train a dog that is intensely treat motivated!
Carolyn said, “I don’t think my dog could learn to turn out the lights now matter how hard we train – unless I called in an electrician to add some low light switches! She is a Bichon & has such short legs.”
Carolyn, is she comfortable on kitchen chair? Can she jump on one? If you really wanted to, you might be able to train her using a chair.
Two French Bulldogs said, “Oh my dawg you are going to learn to turn the light off!! Mom wants to teach me to vacuum.”
You make sure your Mom gets a video of that! If she can train you to vacuum, she can make millions teaching others the same thing. 🙂
Elizabeth Keene said, “I don’t give 2 rips whether your dog can turn off the lights (actually, I do; I’m glad they can’t. Because now I don’t have to be jealous since my corgis cannot reach the light switch, and you’re getting to lie in bed while I have to get up in the cold to turn the lights off myself). 😉 What’s most important are your training tips! Nothing worse than a frustrated human trying to train a tired/bored/frustrated dog. Also, that video ROCKS! I’m running to subscribe to your YouTube now!”
Thank you Elizabeth, I was really reminded of a lot of things during those training sessions and I have to tell you, you will probably be disappointed in my channel because I don’t post a lot to it.
Oh, and I’m not giving up on training that. 😉
Blueberry’s Human said, “Are you SURE training Delilah how to turn the lights off and on is a good idea? I personally think it would be awesome because I am quite certain there would be some hilarious posts in the future once she learns how to do that…”
My original thought involved the refrigerator, which I instantly had to rethink. I was too worried once she figured out how to SHUT the door, her next trick might be opening. 😉
Let Loose the Sailor – Barks and Bytes
Warning, she’s preparing to loose her inner sailor.
Lauren Miller said, “The photo of the Great Dane and the kid irritated me too! I can’t believe that people think that’s an okay thing to do. The second post about the kitty really hurts my heart, too.. It’s a really good way to teach a cat to use it’s weapons.. So sad! :-(”
It really kills me when I read stuff like that. The worse part is how this lady thinks this is okay and the correct way to interact with a kitten.
Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s mom said, “It never ceases to amaze me how absolutely stupid people can be at times.”
Yup. We’re on the same bus Sue.
2 Brown Dawgs said, “I think photos depend on context. If that Great Dane photo was part of an ad for for a product, I think people would have said, huh cute and not much more. Or maybe they would have been offended. I do not know. I personally dislike videos of kids and photos when it is clear that one or both are uncomfortable but a photo is but a moment in time and may not tell the story.”
You’re absolutely right. Context is important. I do think people would still be upset even if it was an ad and I’ll tell you why. That kid might have been on that dog for less than 5 seconds, the dog might have been totally comfortable being dressed up with a kid on its back, the owner might have been right there making sure the dog was okay. BUT some kid can see that and think it’s a good idea to ride their dog and the result could be horrific. The same with some idiot putting their baby on a dog. People constantly do stupid things and the dog always pays for it.
I feel as a dog owner, it is my responsibility to make sure I don’t set my dog up for something that endangers him/her.
Jan said, “I was amazed at how many people thought the kid riding dog was funny, but I’ve seen so many videos that made me want to take the kid and the pet into protective custody.”
I have to stop reading comments because I want to reach through the computer and punch people in the face. Or scream, “Take your head out of your ass.” 🙁
DZ Dogs said, “Ugh….stuff like that makes my blood boil!! I keep thinking about just unhooking from the evil FB and closing my account entirely but just haven’t done it yet.”
I was actually thinking of just going on to post my stuff and stop scrolling around. It’s not worth getting that pissed off. And when you try and educate people they turn into assholes. Who needs that?
Well that’s it for me folks, thanks for sticking with me.
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