subject: Dogs Train Us [print this page] Dogs Train Us Dogs Train Us
I have a beautiful, big, adorable black lab lovingly named Bubba. There is no other name that would have worked. I was always told how intelligent labs were, but didn't believe it until I had one of my own.
He was a handful from the beginning - but he was much smaller in the beginning. I think from the start he was constantly casing the joint. Always looking in the yard for a way out, and the kitchen for something to eat. I felt like he was watching my routine, trying to mold it into his own.
We began by getting him on a schedule - as all the "in the know" dog people tell you to do. Take him out, walk him, feed him at the same time every day - so he gets used to his schedule. But really is it his schedule or your schedule? And frankly, Bubba would eat 24/7 if he had thumbs to open the cabinets and refrigerator.
After we went through the puppy, schedule, training stages, we now have the adult stage. Which now means Bubba knows what he wants and when you are supposed to give it to him. He gets a certain treat at 7:00am, then another at 11:00am. He then is to be fed promptly at 3:00pm. If you are not on your way to the kitchen at 2:55pm - he is sitting in the door staring at you. And believe me, it is a hauntingly pitiful stare. And if you are not moving by 3:05, he decides to voice his displeasure. And believe me he knows when the time changes and he is always on time for feeding time.
And you are taking your life into your own hands when you bring in a rotisserie chicken into the house. First you have to make sure the person carrying the chicken is over 5' 7" tall - so they can hold the bag over their head. Then you must make sure they are nimble enough to dodge his head butts and dangerous rudder like tail. Once you are inside the house, you must be able to withstand the piteous cries coming from outside the window right next to where ever you are - yes he can sense your movements. The thought of chicken heightens his senses. And he will cry until the empty chicken container has been removed from the house - he is allowed to lick the empty container - so he knows the crying can stop.
So when we started the "schedule" did we know it would create a large slobbery jailer? He can keep us hostage in our own home - and we trained him for this. And although he can be a full time job - he can brighten your day with a sloppy wet kiss and a doggie smile. So maybe he did train me - and I've enjoyed every second of it.
