In praise of naughty dogs

[HAH]

I found this article really resonated with me and where my thinking increasingly goes when we’re talking about helping our companions to live in a human world. Ditching should is a great place to start for dogs and their hoomans alike.
In praise of naughty dogs

 

[Candy]

What a beautiful article! Also so very true. Thankyou Harriet for posting it.

 

[Jacqui-S]

 

[MrChew]

What results is a desire for solutions to problems that weren’t problems until someone else outside of the relationship suggested they were

This! In raising dogs and parenting humans.

Thanks for sharing this article.

 

[Lab_adore]

Thanks Harriet, phew lots of big words in there but a very good and thought-inspiring read. Steve has always insisted that we don't 'dampen his natural energy and personality completely' which I always saw as an excuse for our poor training. But Maxx is a 'good' dog in so many ways, but we can't seem to train out his natural enthusiasm to jump up and mouth new friends. Our other nemesis is recall; we are working on a new emergency recall word and so far it is working well. I have slowly slowly built it up around the house and yesterday we tried it in the park for the first time with a small distraction and he came back like a cracker. If at least we get this working we know we can (hopefully) have a fail-safe action in case we need to keep him safe

 

[HAH]

It sounds like your new emergency recall word is working great @Lab_adore - and actually that’sa really interesting point, maybe it’s ‘simply’ a case of keeping it fresh in whatever way works for Maxx? So if you need to build a new recall once in a while and reinforce the value in it, that’s not a bad thing.
I love this from Steve:

Steve has always insisted that we don't 'dampen his natural energy and personality completely'

I love how you both ‘get’ Maxx and celebrate him for the beautiful character he is.

 

[MrChew]

But Maxx is a 'good' dog in so many ways, but we can't seem to train out his natural enthusiasm to jump up and mouth new friends.

Chewie is like this but just a lot smaller! We honestly just manage it and warn guests. We have other priorities with life in general and with training (like ensuring R was safe when he was tiny- no worries there, Chewie was comically gentle). And of course nothing that is a "quick fix" suits our relationship with Chew. So here we are and tbh I don't care what other people think of him.

 

[Lab_adore]

So here we are and tbh I don't care what other people think of him.

This! Exactly.

 

[Lab_adore]

I love how you both ‘get’ Maxx and celebrate him for the beautiful character he is.

Thanks. This morning when we were getting ready for our walk the lead slipped off the kitchen bench and Steve sighed loudly with frustration because bending is still a bit of a problem. Maxx pounced on it and picked it up and held it up as high as his head would stretch so Steve could just take it easily. He is SO smart....it's just that he loses his mind easily in exciting situations. I think his report card would read "easily distracted in class"

 

[Atemas]

we are working on a new emergency recall word

I’ve accidentally got a new recall signal for Red. The other day, she was mooching along and I was in a bit of a hurry as my daughter was due to arrive. I called ‘Clare’s coming’. The response was a lightening recall (she loves my daughter). I have tried it since and it has the same effect but I feel it’s wrong to use it unless it’s true….however, in an emergency it may be just the ticket

 

[Jacqui-S]

I’ve accidentally got a new recall signal for Red. The other day, she was mooching along and I was in a bit of a hurry as my daughter was due to arrive. I called ‘Clare’s coming’. The response was a lightening recall (she loves my daughter). I have tried it since and it has the same effect but I feel it’s wrong to use it unless it’s true….however, in an emergency it may be just the ticket

I used to use "Where's Sophie" as in the early days in particular we did a lot of hiding behind trees in the woods for both fun and recall practice "
Our "emergency word", which is an inelegant SIT roared at the top of my voice with a raised hand, does still work, although Lilly is a lot slower to actually sit.

 

[Selina27]

Loving hearing all this!
@Lab_adore , I am absolutely with Steve on the not dampening Maxx s energy and personality, I was/am very much of this frame of mind with Cassie, I have always loved her spirit and exuberance. I love that now she is 6 although much quieter that is still in evidence, often on a family walk she is the grown up dog but is the only one having zoomies from pure joy!Any perceived shortcomings are just managed now.

Haha, yes , alternative recalls - I have recently discovered "cuppa tea? " works a treat for Cass!
Also "this way" !!
Magic words are great !

 

[kateincornwall]

One hand touching my shoulder bag whilst saying ` what have I got ` works wonders for Reubs I have also found that shouting Ball works even better than his name for recall , whatever works for the individual is fine in my book, lovely article xx

 

[Lab_adore]

My new emergency recall word is COOOOO-EEEEEEE at the top of my lungs. I do wonder what the neighbours think when I'm practicing in the backyard

 

[Stacia]

@kateincornwall "Ball" works for me as well

 

[MrChew]

Haha, yes , alternative recalls - I have recently discovered "cuppa tea? " works a treat for Cass!

Dinner time!

Edit: anything "for Chewie" also works.

 

[kateincornwall]

And anyway , who wants a perfect dog ? ( Me, Me ! Only joking ) . I have loved the joys of life my dogs have shown and to me, they are not naughty, just simply beautiful xx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

For my part, I'm trying not to care so much that Carbon eats poo. Lots and lots and lots of poo. My mantra, which I repeat on the daily, is "I treat Carbon with patience, understanding and love". This because I'd get so mad at him for eating poo that I couldn't see straight, then we'd BOTH be upset. Every time I say "understanding" I think of myself if the fields were strewn with fresh pizza, ice cream and crisps. And if I had no social constraints for eating said delicacies (and it were hygenic, etc etc). How would I - also a food addicted creature - react? Well, I'd react like Carbon and think, "PARTY! I'm getting me some of that!". So...I'm going for understanding even if poo is not my thing.

I'm not always perfect. The sound of him sucking down rabbit poo really disturbs my walk zen. But now I do try to let him have his fun and when I simply can't stand it anymore, I put him back on lead and reward him with kibble for not eating poo for the rest of the walk.

As for recall, I've given up. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. At least walking across the beach to follow him gives me extra exercise every day.

 

[MrChew]

This reminds me- when Rowan is being particularly trying I've started saying "you're having a hard time aren't you?" While thinking "omg you're giving me such a hard time." But I do find that reframing helps a bit.

 

[Selina27]

This reminds me- when Rowan is being particularly trying I've started saying "you're having a hard time aren't you?" While thinking "omg you're giving me such a hard time." But I do find that reframing helps a bit.

Marvellous