Randomly
The scariest thing of all this Halloween – being the back seat passenger while your fifteen year old drives!
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t. ~Henry Ward Beecher
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. ~Author Unknown
Have a candy-filled Halloween!!!
Chihuhuas
The fiercest dog I have in class right now is a chihuhua. And that’s saying something because I have some pretty assertive dogs in class right now – and they have Teeth bigger than this baby dog.
But I am thoroughly convinced chihuahuas have no clue how big or how small they are. This one is out to save his mommy and daddy from all harm. From all things scary, from the world! Saving and protecting them is all on his tiny shoulders! And he is up to the task – just ask him! Well, you don’t have to ask him because he’s going to Tell you. Loudly with feeling and much emphasis! Bring it on, baby!!
Chihuhuas can come in many colors and many sizes. They range from two to fifteen pounds and their tempraments vary just as much. Most possess the character and bark of much larger dogs. Many have no fear, but I’ve had several who have hidden under the chair for the first couple weeks, “don’t beat me! don’t Look at me!!” And then, some who walked in on day one saying “Here I am, World – Bowing IS graciously accepted!”
They are very loving dogs, with their families. Toleration is often all the rest of us get. Well, barking. They will give you That.
They will protect home and hearth, family, with great vigor. They are not delicate things despite the trembling facade they put on – and they often tolerate being dressed up like a doll with fairly good humor.
They are very smart – they Can do about anything we wish – our key is motivation. Sometimes we have to explain the why’s to them. Make it worth their while.
I just have to figure out how to get close enough to this tough dog to help him relax enough to learn.
And I’ve got to get better pictures of them!
Jump Jump Jump!
One of the most common complaints I get from dog owners is ‘my dog jumps all over people!’
Of course they do – the reason they jump to greet is that they are wanting attention. When they jump, they GET that attention. One hundred percent of the time. You would do something that you won at every time, all the time, too!
yellow lab
Even a little brush off is attention. Even negative attention ‘get down, stop it’ SHOVE – is attention. Sure, sometimes Daddy plays a little rough – but doggies are such forgiving creatures – they will give you another chance to play nice – and another and another and another and…well, you get the idea.
malti-poo
Ideally, you would never give puppy a chance to jump. Ideally, every single person who met your dog would ask them to sit and pet them only when all four paws were on the floor. This is the advice I read in the dog training books. I do not live in this ideal world. I’m not sure I want to – I’m rather fond of everyone’s foibles and follies.
But – sit to greet IS a skill. So is loose leash walking. So is go to the corner, lay down and stay there. So is roll over and play dead. ALL are skills to be learned – not something that comes naturally to most dogs. Well, maybe that lay down thing. Sometimes. Not when you want them to most of the time, though.
shiba inu
There is No magic wand – darn – that will teach them not to greet exuberantly. Its something to practice – and just like most people will shake your hand or just say ‘hey’ when you see them – there are huggers who smother you with love, every single time.
Siberian huskey
We can teach our doggies not to smother us with kisses and hugs and leaps of joy every single time they see us – but, you know, sometimes its just so nice to be that loved. Next Page »