Tasha and Others

Today a friend of mine suggested a solution to Tasha’s lack of attention when I call her to come. Blow a whistle, and when she comes, give her a piece of a hot dog. Simple. So I went out today and bought hot dogs. I’d never bought them before. I was prettty sure Tasha would eat any kind, so I went for the cheapest things that looked like what I know of hot dogs.

I came home, and with a piece of hot dog in hand, made Tasha sit. I then made her stay, went into the next room, and called her to come. She did all three things expertly, so I gave her the hot dog. Wow! She went nuts. For a dog that never gets people food, she was more than excited. I tried it again. Made her sit, stay, and then called her from a distance. Again, she behaved with perfection.

Now all I need is the whistle so when she’s outside and I call her she’ll relate the loud noise with the treat. Hopefully, this will solve the problem of the disappearing dog when Tasha goes with me outside. The Pavlovian approach wins!

More on Tillman…

Four of our favorite bulldogs are hoping to be mascots for the U.S. ski team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The well-known Tillman, of skateboarding and snowboarding fame, is joined by bulldogs Rose, Sully, and Lyle, as they take to the slopes with their snowboards. Just back from snowboarding down an alpine ramp on the World’s Longest Rose Parade Float, the dogs continue to amaze those who watch.

All four dogs have been preparing for the snow. Their first ski trip was at Frasier Park in the outskirts of Los Angeles. Up to that point, the dogs sailed down hills made with manufactured snow. This time, the dogs practiced on real snow, making it down the run to the excitement of those who gathered. The next step was to get back on the bus to go to Mountain High slopes in the Angeles Crest Mountains of Southern California. There they were given their own bunny hill to ski down, continuing their practice runs to get ready for the Olympics.

The last move for the dogs will be to get back on their bus for the final trek to Vancouver. The press will be out to watch them, and hopes and dreams will follow the dogs as they make a break for it and prepare to ski.

Get ready for more to follow!

I’ve just read over this blog so far, and it has somewhat of a consistent theme, that is, Tasha’s dependence on me and the ensuing separation anxiety. And her quirky problems–there’s that too. Am I being hard on her, or is she just so spoiled that it’s good for me to recognize and write about how these issues affect her place in my life?

Yes, the site is about Tasha, and most of the entries are about her, but the bulk of information out there is uncomfortable when I read it in full. I’ve GOT to start treating her with some distance because she’s so dependent on me. Or, is that cruel and too dramatic of a change? Even when she’s with other dogs, she still prefers me to them. Not good.

Tasha is four-years old now and is almost entirely set in her ways, including seeing me as a somewhat inconsistent pack leader. I’m not sure what to do exactly, but this blog points out the need for some dog behavior training!

The toy “Kong” is supposed to be indestructable. Not true! Tasha chewed hers into bits.

There was peanut butter in it, for one thing. I had been worried that Tasha was suffering from separation anxiety. She gets so upset when I go anywhere without her. So, following some advice, I gave Tasha the Kong, thinking that she would associate the sturdy toy with some fun while I was gone. But Tasha ate the Kong along with the peanut butter in the middle.

I wish I had taken a picture of the pieces of red rubber that were scattered all about. They were in the middle of a pile of dirt from a mud-covered bone that Tasha had dragged in. The stair landing was a doggie mess! I don’t know if there’s any toy that Tasha couldn’t get her teeth into.

I heard that you’re not supposed to leave a dog with anything that they can chew into little bits. Well, guess I messed up on that one. Next, the Galileo bone…

I can’t believe that it’s been a month since I’ve written in here. I’m home now and with Tasha again. She stays by me when I write, and she follows me around the house. Some would say that she’s a good candidate for separation anxiety.

I don’t do the right things. I tell her that I’ll “be right back” when I leave her. I don’t think she believes me. And when I come home, I’m as excited as she is. I’m not supposed to act as if I’m leaving when I’m going out or show much emotion when I walk in the door.

I just wrote an article for Dogspired on this topic. I learned quite a few tips. Since I’m doing everything wrong, it’s time to pick a plan and do some things right.

1. I need to give Tasha a special toy when I leave. She has so many bones and tennis balls, I’m going to have to buy her a “special” toy to have for the occasion.
2. Keep the television on. I do this when I’m working, so I’m sure Tasha would appreciate it if I left it on for her to hear and to drown out the noise of anything unusual. There’s almost no noise around here, but there could be dogs barking around the lake.
3. About the sleeping arrangement: Get her to sleep in her doggie bed. I always praise her for going in there, so she should see it as a good thing. I can’t afford for her to sleep all cuddled up next to me. You just never know…I read that her sleeping in bed with me fosters dependence.
4. No more jumping up when I come home. I know she’s happy to see me (or other people), but the jumping up has to stop. I know how friendly and social she is, but she can easily knock someone down. Don’t know how to solve this one.

Luckily, I work at home most of the time. This can be a good and bad thing for Tasha. She gets used to my being at home and dreads my leaving and not taking her along.

I’ll try out a plan and see if we can get it together. Stay tuned!

Tasha and Her Leash

I’m away from home and from Tasha for more than two weeks. I miss my girl! I’ve only heard stories about her not coming when called, pulling on her leash, and sleeping on the floor downstairs instead of on the bed as she usually does with me.

I’m sure that Tasha is fine, and is enjoying the people taking care of her, but I’m sure she misses the spoiling I do and our time together.

Tasha doesn’t normally get enough exercise with me, so perhaps she’s getting more playtime now that her pal Leo is with her. I’d like to think she’s a happy girl, as I’ve heard she is.

I’ll be home soon, and I’ll not worry about her anymore.