Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

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Emergency Recalls…WHAT?

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As often happens someone leaves a comment that really gets me thinking.  On Thursday’s post when I made a complaint about Delilah’s recall, Carol said, “Why not use “READY” as your emergency recall?”

And 2 Brown Dawgs said, “I have discovered a new recall with Storm. I have been saying “cookie time” when it is time for her gigantic cookies. Even if she is distracted in the yard she comes a running. That did not take long….lol….2 days I think.”

Both of these comments have been rolling around in my head for the last couple of days.

Maybe I’ve missed the whole point of recalls.  As I learned it, a recall was for my dog to stop whatever they were doing and come sit in front of me.

Here’s a show stopper, I stopped asking them to sit in front of me a long time ago.  I figured what’s the fun on a walk if you have to stop whatever you were doing to go sit in front of someone.

BORING.

Besides I hate asking my dogs to sit in dirt or puddles if that’s what happens to be in front of me.  I mean they are sitting on their tuchas and well, it’s a delicate spot after all.

No, when I want my dogs to come sit in front of me I say, “FRONT.”

As you know I have a lovely area for walking the dogs off-leash.  I also have Delilah who has run off on me a few times.

IMG_1696

I’ve said this before, I think I sometimes confuse myself and in turn the dogs, with my commands. Sampson’s recall is “Come,” so when I first started working with Delilah I chose “Here” thinking there might be times when I only wanted one dog, but as it turns out they both respond to both commands.

Reinforcement is the best way to train so I recall my dogs frequently when we walk, by saying “Here” or “Come,” but if I pay attention to what I’m doing I notice I also talk to them.

A LOT.

I talk to them like they are people and capable of understanding what I’m saying.  I do this because I know that most of the time they DO know what I’m saying.

I’d like to go this way.  Wait up, big guy.  Stop.  Come on pretty girl.  Hey…hey…hey.  Wait a minute, I have to pick up this poop.

And when I see that I’m losing Delilah, they all come out.  Every. Single. One.

Well not the wait a minute I have to pick up this poop, (although with Delilah that might actually work) but you get the point, I panic.  Blind panic.

Surprised?  I didn’t think so.

So it’s more about training me than them, isn’t it?  I mean they already know what all those words mean. I know this because they RESPOND to them.

So what’s been rolling around in my head?

The words EMERGENCY RECALL.

Does this mean you have more than one recall?

Like your regular every day “hey come on over here” recall and then your “holy shit I need you here five minutes ago” recall?

I’m rolling around the idea of “Cookie Time” in my head.  Like randomly out in the yard or in the house singing out “Cookie Time” and then giving them something really yummy, that they don’t get on their walks.  Like dehydrated turkey hearts.

Then testing it on a walk.

What do you think?  Do you have more than one recall or do you strictly adhere to one?  What rewards do you give your dogs when they return to you?  I ask this because my dogs don’t care much for tugging, or toys which is why I use food.

 

Co-Hosted Follow-Up Friday – 3-29-13

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.

Follow-Up Friday Blog Hop

Follow-Up Friday Blog Hop

This is the second time for this week’s co-hostess.  If you follow her blog you’ll notice her dogs have been complaining a bit lately as she’s been doing a little bit of traveling.

When she’s not in the tropics or Arizona, she’s home taking care of her crew consisting of Teddy, Ash and Scout.  She recently helped her son save a furry baby from the pound.  Please help me in welcoming Lisa from Dogs N Pawz.

Thank you Lisa for co-hostessing with me this week!

I’ve decided to do something a little different this week.  Since I’ve gotten so behind in responding to my comments, I’ve decided to follow some you and answer some questions along with my follow-up.

Savvy?

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Update

When I spoke with Steve and Bonnie’s daughter last week, she told me they already have their next Greyhound adoption in the works.  I’m hoping I get pictures. 🙂

Under the Weather – Update

2 Brown Dawgs asked – Could he have scrapped it on some hard snow and is now just licking out of habit?

Anything’s possible at this point.  When I spoke with the Holistic Vet’s assistant, she said he could even be licking it as a form of acupressure.  For instance, his tummy feels nauseous but when he has pressure on his wrist joint, the nausea goes away.

In the meantime, I’m letting the air get at it when we’re home to monitor him and wrapping it with medicine when we can’t.

The Trash Collector – Author’s Note

Julie said- What do you think Sampson does when she is being naughty?

I’ve thought about this a lot actually Julie.  When I picture it, I imagine Sampson rolling his eyes, and shaking his head.

Frankie Furter asked – So WHO was the Bad one??? Delia or Dad????

Donna  asked – who could you blame for this one?

All I can say to both of those questions is Hubby hates getting called out on the blog, but I know and you know who was at fault.  He knows too. 😉

Jackie said – A hungry pup’s gotta do what a hungry pup’s gotta do!  I don’t think Rita would do that, but once we were out past our beagle’s dinner time. We came home all apologetic and rushed to feed her – when we noticed that the door to the closet w/ her food bag was ajar, and that her sides were BULGING. At the time I had no idea that overeating so much could kill a dog. We had to walk her MANY times that night! (And we lived on the 11th floor at the time – so no easy feat.)

All I can say is WOW.

Zoned Out – Author’s Note

Sue asked – I don’t know if you believe in such things, but have you considered trying a session with an animal communicator to see what Delilah is thinking?

I actually do believe in that Sue, and I have used an animal communicator when Delilah was having her health issues, the only thing is I didn’t think that communicator was very accurate, so if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.

ACD6Pack said – My first thought was maybe something wrong with her hearing but since we have a deaf dog and a partially deaf one that’s my first thought.

My question to you is do you let your deaf dogs run off-leash and how do you recall them?

Wordless Wednesday – Update

First let me say, I really love this caption the photo thing, you all have such great answers!!

Here’s mine.

IMG_3705 “Dance like nobody’s watching.”

This ‘N That Thursday – Author’s Note

I’m super excited that 2 Brown Dawgs decided to make this into a Blog Hop, congratulations!

Gizmo said – Was the instigating dog’s owner paying attention? or did she just drop the leash? Was she the one you showed on the cellphone?

Yes Tegan’s owner was paying attention, except she’s recently had surgery on her knee and isn’t as quick as she could be.  And no, it was not the lady with the cell phone, she wasn’t there this week.

All Things Collie said – What really want to know about is all natural flea and tick repellents, and if they are effective. I really hate having to use K-9 Advantage/Frontline.

I plan on doing that not this coming Wednesday but the following one.  I’ve been experimenting with a natural protocol for the last two years and am very happy with what we’re currently using.

I can’t wait to share that with you.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, thanks for joining us and have a wonderful weekend and a great Easter.

Many thanks to Lisa and the crew at Dogs N Pawz for co-hostessing with me this week.  If you don’t already know Lisa, stop by and say hello to Scout, Ash and Teddy.

This is the co-hosted Follow-up Friday blop hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Heart Like a Dog, Follow-up Friday


 

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