I
have noticed that over the years when we have dogs that visit us, they learn so
much and even and some things that you don't want them to learn. Some are a perfect example of learning some
things from one or most of our dogs, it’s like they share ideas and thoughts. Last year for some reason, Annie started
digging for moles that were in the ground.
If you have never had this problem, I am happy for you because they can
be a pain in the backside.
Just when you
get your lawn in great shape in the spring, here they come with their
construction crews out of nowhere. For years, we were
never bothered by them but last year, things changed and Annie, the "mole stalker" found a new resolve for life. Clancy
even got into the act while he watched her pound the ground and dig with her
nose, tearing up the yard. I once
remember in the fall of last year, Annie was digging and apparently got tired
and when she backed off, Clancy was “Johnny on the Spot” and was crazy about it
as much as Annie was, they were a tag team, taking turns.
My saving grace is usually my dogs search for moles in the woods usually
leaving the yard alone and luckily none of the other dogs will follow suit until now…
When
we have visitors, at first a new guest will be a little apprehensive of what to
do. They will stand back and watch the
“old pros” do their thing and soak everything up. After a while, they will get curious and
follow suite jumping in with all 4 feet, literally.
Some of the best examples are when we are playing Jolly Ball and they
are a little afraid of the water. When
they are not thinking about their fear, it’s not as severe as they believe or
they just don’t think about it with all the activity going on and get carried
up.
Many times when a concerned dog
watches a herd of BC’s run after a Jolly Ball or Frisbee straight into the
water, they are pretty adapt to run with them, not evening thinking about
it.
One
of my favorite lessons to get them to go to the kennel, is when it’s time to
eat, I tell them “let’s go eat” and mine will knock over trees, shrubs and
people if they're in the way. I do think
Dutchess will aim for a person because she likes the excitement but the
visitors will soon associate the “let’s go eat” to something pleasant and
quickly run with them for their treat. I
will tell you that I have said the magic words when it’s not time to eat, but there is
consequences and it’s in the form of 10 pair of evil eyes watching me and every
step I make with a scowl on their face…
As
I said they learn so much from each other just by watching and waiting and I
know when some dogs go their home after a visit, the owners are scratching
their hear and saying “I wonder where they learned that” or “where did that
come from”, well.. now you know and to tell you the the truth, mine can be a
little rowdy and teach your dog to eat off a fork, lay on the couch, and
even stay up late and watch TV with the writer of this article until the cows come home. The last month or so, we had a new lesson
learned here on the farm and she learned it with such style and grace. Bless her little heart…
Dahlia...tired after hunting for her new predator... |
Not
only does she have a dirty nose and front feet, she is flopped on our (her) couch
getting ready to dream about catching that mole…Ken
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