A Blog About Golden Retrievers and Dogs in General
Here Jenny and I will write and share our favorite Golden stories and articles. Hopefully we'll give some informative tips on the Golden Retriever breed that may also help those with other breeds. Feel free to comment or add to our blog. In addition, if you would like to write a story, feel free to contact us. Our goal is to keep this light hearted, heart warming, or fun. Thanks for reading!
Well Trained Owner
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 17 June 2009 04:12
With the best intentions, Jenny and I have gone through all the typical steps in raising our Goldens. Puppy classes, positive reinforcement, consistency and so on. However, when it comes right down to it, our dogs have done more to train us then vice versa. Sure they’ll sit or lay down. For the most part they do as their told. However here is a list of things our dogs have trained us to do:
1. At 8:00am give or take 30 minutes I want breakfast. I swear dogs have an uncanny ability to know when it’s time to eat
2. If I lean against your chair, scratch my back
3. If I’m holding a toy, chase me
4. If you come home from somewhere there was food, bring me some
5. If I lie down or sit during dinner, give me some leftovers
6. If you are going for a ride, and it’s not too hot, take me. Be sure not to say the word ride in any sentence that doesn’t involve me coming along
7. Don’t leave your socks or slippers out unless you want to search the entire house for them
8. If I put my head next to your chair, that means I want my ear scratched
9. If you come outside with me that means the game is on
10. At 5:00pm give or take 30 minutes I want dinner
11. If you are sitting comfortably, I’ll probably decide it’s time to go out
12. Your portion of the bed 25% my portion 75%
That was just a small sample of how well we’ve been trained. When our dog trainer told us how manipulative Goldens could be, we had no idea. They use their cuteness very effectively. Even when they are being bad, they are cute. Sure I’ve taught them how to sit, lie down, come here, and stay. The list is four and shrinking. I’ve seen the dogs on TV that can do all kind of fancy tricks. I’m sure if I spent every waking hour training my Goldens, I would, I mean my dogs would, learn a few more tricks.
Jenny and I made the unconscious decision to just enjoy them as they are, which is trained enough to manage, but unfettered enough to enjoy all things dog. Their time on earth is far too short. As a result, what’s a few extra treats, a few more games of fetch, a few more scratched backs, or a few more scratched ears? At the end of the day, they give us as much joy, if not more, then we return to them. They’ve trained us well.