A few days ago I received a video of Anne & Phil Peake’s dogs playing in the snow. Jack and Copper have been clients of mine for some time, and I love them dearly. On the same YouTube page, I found a video of Jack opening a Christmas present before Copper had come to live with him.
At first, it was simply a cute video of dog enjoying the holidays. But half way through, I was laughing out loud! I watched as Anne opened her own gifts, asking Phil to pay attention, while the camera kept returning to Jack.
I felt for Phil in that moment…and had to laugh. I am often putting off the words and attention of other humans in favor of watching what dogs are doing. I don’t mean to be rude, and I don’t value dogs more than humans. Really, I don’t!
It’s just that dog behavior is in the moment, it’s happening right now. Is it really so much to ask that the people around me hold that thought, wait a minute, shhhhh, while I watch what the dogs will do next? I often find myself saying things like, “Yes, I do care…just a minute, I want to hear what you’re saying, but I gotta watch this. Wow! Did you see that? Okay, what?”
Geez, sounds awful when I actually write it. What a freak I am! How rude! I suppose I should make it a New Year’s Resolution to change this terrible habit and start treating my friends and family with a bit more…
…hold on…
My dog is standing next to my husband at the fridge door, looking in as if she's choosing what to have for lunch. OH! My other dog, the one who is often “the enforcer” just came along and used her nose to nudge the first dog out of there. She's herding her into the living room. Interesting.
So, what was I saying? Oh ya, cute video of Jack’s Christmas. You should watch it.
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Me too!
I do the same thing. To the point if I mention dogs at all in conversation that wasn't about dogs to begin with my family all says "And there it is, back to the dogs". LOL You are not alone.
Tail wags,
Marie Finnegan
K-9 Solutions Dog Training Inc.
Dogs opening presents
Our beloved Lily, an adopted Lab/German Shorthair X (at The Bridge) was the best gift opener. Her "brother," Louis, an adopted German Shorthair Pointer would cry when presented with his gifts and Lily would open his for him, then let him have the contents. We'd let her open some of our stuff too - Good Times! Dogs are so entertaining!
Happy tails,
Wanda Woodworth, MA, CPDT
Wanda Woof Dog Training