Take a walk on the wild side
Encountered a couple of “Fluffies” earlier today while walking the princess hound. Just as we round the last corner, heading to the house, a couple of them have us in their sights.For those of you that have read the September 5 post entitled “Small dogs at end of leash are larger than they appear”, please continue reading. For those that haven’t, I recommend taking a quick look at it for some background regarding the “Fluffies” and “The Talk”. Plus, it’s one of my favorite posts!
http://dognotesinc.wordpress.com/2010/09/05/small-dogs-at-end-of-leash-are-larger-than-they-appear/
Here’s the problem
We have one person walking two 25# dogs. For the most part, this doesn’t appear to be a problem; however, these guys are charging out to the end of their leashes making some very nasty noises. (Also, note today is not the first time they’ve exhibited aggression. Their behavior is getting progressively worse.) Almost immediately (as expected) I hear the beginning of “the talk“. Although it was a whisper; it was “the talk”. I am sure of this because I heard quite a number of “dammits” throughout this one way conversation aimed at his dogs.I’d like to help some of these people if only I could get close enough to hand them a business card…
We continue walking and I see that he is now “picking up” after them. So now we have one person attempting to control two, lunging, growling (and now hysterical) dogs. He is holding their leashes with one hand as the other hand is encased in a clean up bag. Even with all the barking, I could still hear the annoying “whiz” of their mechanical leash things – like fingernails on the chalkboard.
Never could quite figure those things out. Leash in a box…Does the button release them or stop them? Or, does it do both?? How do you know when to release and when to stop? I’m serious here…I’m used to having dogs walk at my side…Maybe some models have a secret button on the collar so the dog can just release himself? So, let’s see if I have this right. You release the leash for the dog to run to the left but instead he runs to the right and directly into traffic? In addition, before running into traffic the cord happens to wrap around an ankle and you are now sporting a nasty “leash in a box” rope burn.I’ve also heard it’s extremely interesting when they break. (For anyone that has ever gone fishing, imagine the reel becoming dislodged from the pole just as a huge Muskie grabbed the bait! Good luck reeling in that rascal.)
Back to the story…
The talk must have ended as now all he does is yell their names. Just their names, nothing else. What do we expect the dog to do when all we say is their name? I’m thinkin’ nothing. We just change the tone of their name, quite often elongating it…Noooooo…dles… People do it all the time with their kids. It’s kind of like “Dooooon’t make me come over there…” Then, there’s the sharp, gruff “!Noodles! ” If the dog happens to stop what he’s doing, it’s just coincidence. Don’t pat yourself on the back just yet.You’ve said his name and he’s waiting for the “what” part. Generally, his selective hearing kicks in but today, for some reason, you actually have his attention. He’s now thinking there just might be something better in store for him; way over and above licking at the sandwich on the counter. (In Noodles’ world it doesn’t get much better than that!) But since he never heard the “what” part, he jumps right back onto the counter and now has a paw on top of the sandwich as he eats your cookies.
This “name only” habit is greatly (mis)used when trying to lure the dog to come back inside. Do you have to even wonder why they just stand there looking at you? He’s waiting for the second part of what you are trying to communicate here as you stand at the back door, holding it open and simply saying “Noodles”.
Noodles want to know what’s in it for him…
He might be ready to bargain so just “what” exactly are we are trying to convey here? Is it; Noodles treat? Or possibly, Noodles stay outside? Could it be; Noodles dinner? How about, Noodles, don’t come in? Or just maybe, Noodles go bye bye car? That last one by the way, is always said in a whiny, high pitched tone so bye bye car sounds like “Noodles, goo goo Gah!?” and now we sound like a puppy in distress.Now you’re shaking the box of treats. Then, in a very sweet tone; it’s “Nooodles…” (shake, shake, shake). “Oh, Nooooooooodles…” You try shaking again faster for a more convincing effect and the treats scatter to the floor. He just might come in now because we know he claims anything that hits the floor; being a firm believer in the “nano second” rule. But, even that didn’t work today. He decided he’s not going to listen to a puppy in distress. Today he doesn’t like those treats.
Then we try the deeper voice. “Nooooooodles…”, as in “Don’t make me come out there…” Oh yeah, like you could catch him.
And, to all a good night…
It was an adventure but we made it home safe and sound. Tonight, the hound will have dreams starring the Fluffies. It starts with them barking at her from two blocks away. I; however, will probably have nightmares of people being walked by their dogs attached to fishing poles.
**THE END**
Always pick up after your pets!
www.MyDogNeverDidThatBefore.com
Dog Notes, Inc.
