So life with a dog continues…
I never appreciated, as a child, the work my mum put into turning our dogs into the well behaved, well trained, well adjusted creatures they all were. But I tell you what, I do now.
Having a dog is hard work.
As with children, you have to put the needs of another before your own at all times, which can take a bit of adjustment.
In my case, getting out of bed around 6 o’clock every morning to “see to the dog” has made me glad that I was already on the way to becoming an “early to bed, early to rise” type.
Except now, I don’t really get the “early to bed” bit, since I have to wait for the whole family to be settled in their beds before I can calm the dog down sufficiently to get to bed myself.
I am also getting a lot of exercise – walking the dog is the only way to get her to settle down in the house and stop her doing the “three B’s” – biting, begging and barking. When restless, she nips playfully at us and everything around her, can be a pest at mealtimes and patrols the garden trying to spot our neighbour – and warn him off.
Unfortunately, she seems disinclined to run after a ball or toy, meaning that usually I am covering almost the same distances as her, apart from when she is busy chasing after other dogs on the park – one of her favourite things, happily.
Don’t get me wrong, it may be tiring, and difficult at times, but it is an enjoyable process for the most part.
I’m pretty sure I’m getting fitter, which is also much appreciated. Over time, as my stamina and the dog’s attachment and obedience increases, things will get easier.
Surprisingly (to me at least) I am managing to fit in a bit of sewing. Like making this little fungi fellow.
I’m not sewing every day, because sometimes Lupin just won’t sit still long enough. And sometimes, the process of tiring out Lupin tires me out too.
So much so that during her doggy naps, when I should be getting stuff done, I am often also to be found crashed out on the sofa.
But we are both making progress…
All be it in tiny steps. ♥
Hello mod flowers, I sympathise with your frustrations (and joy!) with Lupin; I found that a small empty tonic tin with a small amount of gravel in it, shaken when they are misbehaving really helps. Now I only have to pick up the tin and he stops barking, apparently they hate the noise but he is a terrier so maybe it won’t work with Lupin. Worth trying though! Good luck.
Thanks for the tip Christina! We were told something similar by the trainer /behaviourist we have been working with – the noise acts as a distraction momentarily so that you can encourage good behaviour instead. We are working on it!
I’ve been told that a small spray bottle with something lemony in it will stop a dog dead if squirted when he or she is barking, biting, digging, chewing, jumping up or generally doing stuff you don’t want. One of those little travel pump sprays in your pocket when on walkies….?
It’s a thought Kate, but we are trying to train by positive reinforcement rather than aversion techniques… so basically we are giving treats for good behaviour, rather than punishments for naughtiness. Thankfully Lupin is absolutely food obsessed – even more so than most dogs – probably from her street dog heritage, and is clever, so the rewards method is one that seems to work for us (most of the time). It just requires persistence to embed the good behaviours on a longer-term basis, but after another positive session with the trainer today I’m sure we’ll get there!
All the world is awash in mushrooms!! It’s a theme 🙂 I LOVE this one.