Kitchen Privileges

So, do other dogs sit on couches and car seats with their front legs on the floor for balance? Is this normal? If I asked a dog trainer would I simply be told to stop letting the dog sit on couches and car seats?

I fear I am entirely too amused by Sherman, the Labradoodle. As Tom Bold confesses, "When he stands up next to me at the kitchen counter and we're eye to eye, I can't help but laugh."

Tom. I thought we agreed that Sherman wouldn't have kitchen privileges.
.
.
.
.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

When you're the slowest dog at the dog park...

No one likes to be the slowest of the pack. Sherman is. At every dog park, he plays with as many dogs as possible. But when they start running, he is the last in line.

Perhaps because he is still growing? Or perhaps he is just not a runner. At home, he chases squirrels to no avail.

But last week he found an animal slower than himself. And brought the turtle into the house. Tom Bold waited for distraction and returned the turtle to the outdoors.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

A dog's decorating sense

As the red arrow indicates, the humans in this household also bring sticks inside. Sherman is a good fit here.

Tom Bold removes Sherman's found objects regularly and on some days Sherman appears to try to find the exact sticks again in the yard. (He brings them in through his dog door.)

We are making no attempt to break the dog of this pasttime. We think it is saving house and furniture from something far worse.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

A Few of Sherman's Firsts

At 3.5 months, Sherman the Labradoodle is not especially worldly. For example, he has not yet discovered the trash can at our house.

Still, this was a week of firsts for him. He traveled by car halfway across the country, enjoying (greatly) his first Rest Area pet areas.

And back in Texas today, he went to his first Sonic because dogs are allowed on the outside patio.

And then he went to his first park, where he saw little kids on bicycles. This was especially exciting because in our neighborhood he has seen only old people on bikes and they sit much higher.

The park visit ended with Sherman heading for his first hydrant. I wish my camera had caught his first approach, with front leg raised as if he meant to point. Remember, this is the dog who hasn't even noticed the trash can.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

Leaning Toward "Sherman"

$250, gift from Katy
$4.48, dog food
$6.97, puppy pads
$2.84, dog treat
$6.88, pooper pick-ups
$2.62, leash
$1.52, chew sticks
$2.24, Clr Adj (cannot even remember what that is)
$8.87, water bowl (specifically with non-skid rim that's still dishwasher safe)
$24.88, pet bed
$7.99, medium Kong (toy for holding food treats)
$0.99, cloth rope toy
$10.99, NCF SO9 (must be something necessary)
$1.47, tennis balls
$111.99, dog crate
$2.99, Holiday dog chew on 50% sale
$3.49, more Holiday chew on 50% sale
$22.99, pooper scooper
$15.99, water bottle specifically for travel (built-in bowl)
$29.99, harness with seat belt connection for car travel

We're not totaling the receipts. We are helping with one segment of the economy as we outfit the dome for this new resident, a Labradoodle.

© 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.