Gus looked at me, sideways, in a ‘make my day’ way. Discretion being the better option, I decided not to have a battle. Instead I planned to use my clever human brain (humour me) to outwit him.
We’d walked one of our usual routes along a local road. I’d spotted an odd-looking mound at the roadside and went over to have a look. It was a mixed pile of charred and burned objects, most of which were unrecognisable, but I did see a few tin cans. I muttered furiously to myself about the hooligans who think nothing of littering our beautiful countryside and expecting others to clean up after them, when suddenly, Gus shot forward and grabbed something amorphous, black and half-covered in soil and grass. I suggested he “give” it to me – and it was at then That Look made me rethink my strategy.
“A very short lead will do the trick,” I thought, “He can’t hang onto it for long, so when he drops it I’ll be ready.” It didn’t work. We set off back home. He didn’t drop it, though he did open and re-snap his jaws shut briefly once or twice to rearrange his bounty.
Arriving back home, I called to Himself to being out the big gun – not a real gun of course, but cooked chicken, pretty much guaranteed to work as a trade. But I never got the chance to try – Gus dropped his unpleasant, black package at the back door. Swiftly I side-stepped Himself (actually we had a slightly unseemly tussle) so I could grab the chicken to reward Gus well for his unexpected donation. Himself, amid much grumbling, was dispatched to remove whatever-it-was – he rather rudely declined my suggestion to explore and find out what it was (or had been).
Thinking about this episode, I should not have been surprised.
For the past few years, Gus and I have played a rather silly game each morning once I’ve fed the birds. I pick up a wooden stick, he steals it, then I chase him round the courtyard. Pure fun. I don’t want slivers of chewed wood in the house, so I’ve taught Gus to drop the stick at the back door.
When we arrived home, habit kicked in and he dropped his stolen goods – right by the back door. Habits can be very useful.
What helpful habits could you set up for your dog?
One great habit to teach is wait at doorways and in the car. It can save your dog’s life and it’s one of the things we teach in our Perfect Pet course. It’s easy to teach, too. One of our clients recently sent us a video of her dog waiting beautifully by the door after just five minutes of training. Our next courses start in September – all details are on the website.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol
PS We’ve moved our new two week Puppy Socialisation Practice course – it will now start on 1st September. It’s for puppies up to 18 weeks old so spread the word! You can find all the details and sign up here. All the sessions will be at Kircubbin.