You caught me a bit off guard

[lizblackdog]

	August dog walk 1 A random sunflower that looks over the wall at us, in the field with the long grass
	August dog walk 2 The blackberries are ripe now
	August dog walk 3 Spike climbed a tree
	August dog walk 4 Spike found a patch of loose soil *digdigdig*
	August dog walk 5 Digging makes Spike happy and overexcited with dirt on his nose

See Spike being an overexcited arsehole!

Yeah, I know laughing encourages him. I can't always help it. I don't want to extinguish the leash-tugging entirely because I can use it as a displacement/distraction for when he really wants to go postal at strange dogs.

I've tried carrying a tug toy instead, but he knows it's there, and it makes his ramped-upness go through the roof. Plus he tries to pick my pockets every time I glance away from him.

Comments

[resqdog51.livejournal.com]

Laughing may encourage him but as long as he lets go when you tell him, so far as I'm concerned its all good.

*giggle* That was cute!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

He does - although if he's really ramped up he won't stay stopped very long.

thank you :)

[baranduyn.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking your Spike and my Gabriel are related somehow. Gabriel's an Australian Shepherd but the grins are...identical.

And walking Gabriel is not to be done by the faint of heart, though he goes off over everything from birds and squirrels to "IT'S A FREAKING LEAF, GET IT!!!!"

Hunter used to be the dangerous one to walk, but he's mostly passed that honor on to Gabriel. Sigh. I love them. **snoogles Spike v. long distance**

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I do love herding dog grins. Other breeds grin in pure uncomplicated happiness; herding dogs grin at you, like they're laughing at a joke only the two of you get.

Spike loves humans and he'd never hurt one on purpose but I've been pulled over and had my shoulder and elbow and wrists wrenched many many times; and I never allow anyone else to play tug with him at all - it ends in an accidental bite so very very often.

I love reading about your dogs, too.

[baranduyn.livejournal.com]

They'd never deliberately hurt me, but I bear actual scars from accidental hurtage.

Hunter is half Chow, half Aussie. Gabriel is all Aussie. Gabriel's grin is very much the "are you in on the joke?" type or "I am planning real mischief". Hunter's is more "isn't it cute" (baby animals and humans) and mildly shameful.

When I get a digital video camera I long to get footage of Gabriel's nose beeps. When he was a puppy he decided that if his nose beeped when I touched it with my finger then my nose would beep if he touched it with his nose. He now nose beeps for boredom, apology, reassurance and just because.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I remember reading an entry of yours about the beeps, ages and ages ago. I'd love to see that.

I was very lucky - one of my mother's friends bought her the camera I use, and I sort of permanently borrowed it after she didn't touch it for six months. I'd never have bought one on my own but it's been such a quality-of-life booster, especially being able to do movies.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

great pictures! can't watch the video right now (dial up) but i will when jef gets home.

have you tried keeping the tug toy in your cleavage?

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

what, and get my tits bitten the first time he caught me off guard?

hmmm...