Park, today. We're doing our thing, Squish wandering round on his long line and Spike playing ball, when a guy turns up with a pretty black Lab mix and her ball.

Spike is offleash, so he's completely indifferent - "Oh, look, a dog. NOW THROW MY BALL, LADY!"

Squish, though - my special little spotted snowflake. He's hugely excited by other dogs, he's frightened of everything, he really loves to bark and he has the social skills of an infant Cluster Lizard raised by a dead guy. He raced up to the Lab mix, hackles up, tail wagging, play-bowing and barking his fool head off all at once. I braced for impact and he still pulled me flat on my face (thankfully, I failed to land in any turds, which in that particular park is a bit like winning the lottery). The poor Lab mix looked like you'd look if someone grabbed you by the collar while you were shopping and started ranting happily about our Reptile Overlords. She was too startled and confused to attack him at once, but she looked like she might any second. And Spike didn't care and doesn't like to hit girls, but Squish is on his crew - he was standing by in case things turned nasty, ready to dive in and make it ten times worse.

So I stood up, at the other end of Squish's long line, all ready to reel him in, and I sang out - "Squishy come!"

And he did. Instantly! And again and again despite the Lab mix's continued presence! Let everyone do the Dance Of Sausage Joy!

*dances*

From: [identity profile] cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com


that is really really amazing and fantastic. i'm really proud of both of you. clearly, squish is a dog who's happy to be programmed. :)
ext_15855: (Squish: I Can't Hear You)

From: [identity profile] lizblackdog.livejournal.com


Yes, he is. I found it hard to deal with after getting used to Spike - Spike's a thinker, he's very sure of himself and he's proactive as well as (over)reactive. Half the commands he knows are ones HE thought up, and he does things for the pleasure of doing them. Squish is much happier being told exactly what to do in words of one syllable, and he needs a material reward.

From: [identity profile] cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com


maggie and charlie are the same way. maggie is much happier being programmed.

From: [identity profile] ms-daisy-cutter.livejournal.com


Aw, Squish is teh cute.

And I could use some sausage joy, if you know what I mean... ;-0
ext_15855: (Squish Dogfart)

From: [identity profile] lizblackdog.livejournal.com


He is - it's the only thing that's stopped me strangling him before now. He's also a great leg-rest on the couch :D

(ME TOO. It's been WEEKS!)

From: [identity profile] baranduyn.livejournal.com


My Hunter has had the oddest experiences with other dogs.

When he first arrived he was mad for puppies. Seriously, if he saw a puppy I was hauled across broken glass, through brambles, whatever so he could get some puppy lovin'. Usually terrified the puppy's owner since he is not a small dog.

Then I brought Gabriel home and Hunter was cured. Full-time puppy was a whole different story, especially one that regarded Hunter's rather splendid tail as the best toy ever and could run under the sofa rather than submit to Hunter's displeasure.

One of our neighbors had a bitch puppy which fell in love with Hunter, who is not physically capable of giving her what she wanted and wasn't all that hot for her anyway. She would try literally to climb on him to encourage him and he'd look at me as if to say "I don't know what she wants, but make her stop this right now."

He's not aggressive with other dogs, but he's more likely to give a series of 'you just stay your ass over there' barks. Gabriel, on the other hand, barks like mad to call them over then hides behind my legs when they get too close.

My boys. **applause**

From: [identity profile] mcsassypants.livejournal.com


Hooray!!!! I'd give Squish a meatball if 1.) I had any sitting around here and 2.) If I could figure out how to send them through my monitor. I guess I'll have to settle for doing a happy dance for Squish.
ext_15855: (Default)

From: [identity profile] lizblackdog.livejournal.com


Did you send it to my Gmail? I never look at my Gmail unless someone tells me to! looking now!
ext_15855: (Default)

From: [identity profile] lizblackdog.livejournal.com


OK, I've seen it now. Use my Yahoo email if you actually want me to read them, yes? I never use the Gmail account except for storing attachments, I can go months without looking at it.

I'll try & ring Elana tomorrow, see if I can find anything out.

From: [identity profile] santaman.livejournal.com


Okay, e-mail me your Yahoo address please ;) because I did sent the message there. *hugs*

From: [identity profile] kyra-neko-rei.livejournal.com


Oooh, yay for Squish! And yay for the not landing in dog poop! You were not hurt too badly when you landed, I hope?

(I just got back from horseriding lessons and shopping and before all that, class, and discovered this sitting here on my computer all written up. Apparently one must push the "Post Comment" button.)
ext_15855: (Default)

From: [identity profile] lizblackdog.livejournal.com


That's partly why I did fall - soft ground and I just let myself go easy. Worst-case scenario would've been some very nasty laundry. If I'd tried too hard not to fall the knee could easily have gone again. Though the thing that usually gets it is any kind of sideways or twisty motion.
.

Most Popular Tags

Powered by Dreamwidth Studios

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags