Heart Like a Dog

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

I Didn't Say A Word

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I use the ‘with me’ command instead of ‘heel’ because I think ‘heel’ is a confusing command.  At least it confuses me. 

When we are in training class and are told to ‘heel’ our dog, my understanding is I want my dog to come and stand at the side of my leg.

When we start moving and I want my dog to stay with me, I think it’s confusing to say ‘heel,’ because I’ve just asked her to stand at my side using the same command.

 So I started using ‘with me’ for that command.  Delilah seems to understand it and is easily corrected with an “ACK, ut oh, or ut unh.”

I share this with you because Delilah had a another successful walk yesterday!

It was my Saturday for dog food so I ran errands all morning, met my friend Mindy for lunch and then came home to take our walk in the afternoon.

I let Delilah off-leash as soon as she exited the car and let her walk in.  I leashed her near the top of the trail, where she used to run off and kept her with me for a couple of minutes, but let her go again as soon as we passed the danger point.

The next time we approached I called her to me and said, “With me.”  I kept her focused on the treats in my hand and she stayed right with me.

When we left the park she walked out off-leash.  Of course there also weren’t any other dogs or distractions to lead her astray.

Flash forward to today.  Hubby joined us on our walk.  I think I am more anxious when Hubby is there because I want to prove to him that positive reinforcement works.

She went into the park off-leash, she did run off to chase a squirrel but came right back, we walked the trails a couple of times and then took the dogs to the field to let them run. 

This was the true test because you may remember the day that she ran off from me at the field and got herself stuck. 

Hubby walked away from us then called Sampson and Delilah and in this manner we ran them back and forth a couple of times.  I then decided to have them sit and walk away from them towards Hubby with the intent of calling them to me. 

I got about half-way to Hubby and I heard Delilah tearing after me.    I brought her back and sat her down and tried again, but again she came tearing back to me.  I said to Hubby, while I want her to obey me, how can I be mad at her for wanting to be with me?  

I know it’s important for her to listen to me but I think my focus right now needs to be on her returns, at least outside.  I can work on her stays in the house.

Once the dogs were in the car I asked Hubby how he thought she did and he said, “She walked out to the car without the leash, so that’s pretty good. ”

As we pulled into the driveway I said, “She will have to go on leash to the house or she will run to the neighbor’s yard.”

Hubby said, “I don’t think she will.”  At my raised eyebrows he said, “I’ll assume responsibility for her.”

He opened the door and she ran right to the neighbor’s yard.

I didn’t say a word.

Shadow Dancer

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I always thought it would be cool to have a skylight in my bedroom, until I actually had one.

On those days when Mr. Sun is up well before he should be, everyone else in the room is up as well.

While the sound of raining drumming on the glass doesn’t bother me, it keeps Hubby awake.

For the first three years we lived here, we talked about purchasing some kind of blind to cover the window.  But they’re very expensive and any time that kind of funding was available it seemed something more important came up.

Finally last year in desperation, I designed a type of skylight covering myself.   (No, I can’t show you because Hubby says I should patent it.)

Did I forget to mention there’s a skylight in the bathroom attached to our bedroom as well?

Ooops, yes there is.  But this skylight does not have a covering 1) because I wasn’t that ambitious and 2) the sun does not shine directly in our eyes when we are trying to sleep.   Besides, I usually try to shut the bathroom door at night.

But sometimes I forget, or Hubby goes in there after me and doesn’t close the door.  Yes, I’m going with that.  Hubby does not close the door.

This was the case this morning, somehow the bathroom door was left open.  The weatherman had predicted a ‘Wintery Mix’ for last night/this morning and lo and behold, for one magic moment in his life he guessed right.  So while Mr. Sun rose, he didn’t shine because he was blocked by clouds.

Still as night gave way to early morning and dawn crept over the horizon, a vibrant, always vigilant chocolate lab looked up sleepily and saw something move on the side of the bed.

Ever the protector, she stood up and growled, which is when I opened my eyes and caught her…

I don't know what you are, but I don't like you in our bedroom.

growling at her shadow.

Follow-Up Friday

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For those new to the blog, my follow-up Friday provides me with an opportunity to update or revise a post from the previous week.

You know sometimes you post about something and you need an update but it doesn’t warrant a whole blog.  Or sometimes someone made a comment that really resonated with you.  Yup, Follow-Up Friday baby! :-)

Where’d It Go? – Author’s Note:

Taxes done, filed, money received, money spent.

Enough said.

What’s Going On – Author’s Note:

I have to say the decision to have your dog wear a collar all the time is definitely a personal choice.  For me the idea of my dog getting outside of the yard or running off on one of our walks is a real fear.

If you like your dog to wear a collar, but hate the jingle of tags, check this link out.  Thanks to DogDaz for sharing, you all have probably already seen these, but they’re new to me. 🙂

What’s In A Name – Author’s Note:

Yup, you pretty much all agreed who the a**hole was in that story.

Don’t Talk To My Dog – Author’s Note:

I’m not sure if I was clear in the post.  Sampson really, really wanted to get this woman’s attention.  He encouraged her by rooing and prancing.

My bigger issue is the woman should ASK me, can I say hello?  Unless your dog runs up to me and sticks his nose in my hand, I’m asking your permission to greet your dog.

Lexy over at Gone For A Walk had an idea for “You’re an idiot” cards, but for the life of me I can’t find the post to link it to.  Instead I’m giving you a link to this post, “Rules To Live By.”  I did find myself chuckling as I read it but mostly because I agreed with her, but the topic really is serious.

 It’s Jet Here suggested a tee-shirt, I like that idea too.  My tee-shirt would say, “Please Don’t Acknowledge My Dogs Without My Permission.”  And on the back, “If you can’t understand these instructions, you’re a moron.”

Too harsh?

Disbelief – Author’s Note:

I’m still  sad about Hailey’s plight today but there were some great comments that really did make me feel better.  Have I ever told you, you guys are the best?   Thank you so much for helping me feel better.

As for the training class I skirted out of, I talked with Sara today.

She did kick the little pittie out of the class at the break.  The young woman will be going for private classes to see if they can help mellow Doylan out.  Doylan is on her fourth home.  According to Sara she has bitten her owner and the owner is giving her six months, if she can’t help her in that time frame she intends on euthanizing her.  Sara felt that a room full of dogs is not the right place (at least right now) for Doylan.

The couple with the two yellow labs that kept repeating their commands?  They’ve apparently been at this for three years and Sara says it’s like talking to the wall trying to make them understand.  Honestly, that’s when I want to take the leash and show them how to work their dog.

By the way (BTW for all you texters,) I wasn’t the only person who felt the tension in that training room last night, my friend Teri said she felt it too.

That’s it from my end, I hope you have an awesome weekend and good luck to all the lottery players.

🙂

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