Thursday, October 22, 2009

Home from Camp

Hi All,

Baron returned home from "camp" in good spirits, but very tired. He was asleep for most of his first two days home. Now he is more energetic. His trainer, who is the "director" of the camp, lives on 2 1/2 acres, so Baron had the opportunity to run and play with his fellow campers.

Believe it or not, his behavior has improved, although a "tired dog is a well-behaved dog" - or at least "better" behaved. He still jumps on us, but tries not to. He hasn't experimented with new recipes and he considers coming when called.
Maybe he needs more camp-outs.
Botswain

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Obedience vs Cooking School

Hi All,
This is a sad night at Poodle Place. Baron just left for Camp (as in Boot). We feel terrible because Baron thought he was going to Cooking School and wanted to pack pots and pans. We drew the line when he wanted to bring the Cuisinart. I feel like any parent whose child goes off to overnight camp, and gave the trainer written directions for his care. It includes the usual - diet (duck and potato), medications (allergy), sun screen etc. Thank goodness he is not high maintenance!

I'll let you know how the trainer survives!
Botswain
PS
I forgot to send Baron's hair products! I hope his curls survive the camp-out.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Coming to a Kitchen near You


Hi All,

Apparently Baron is continuing his culinary pursuits. Baron's trainer (#5 in case you forgot) suggested placing a basket in the kitchen for his toys. This way he'll know where they are, eliminating confusion such as Baron mistakenly (right) thinking my reading glasses and Vance's watch are his. Baron clearly understands the concept that his toys are in the basket. The part of the equation he has difficulty with is the definition of what is actually his.
Sunday we returned home from dinner and were exuberantly greeted by our partially behaved poodle. He was in excellent spirits having decided to replace dog obedience classes with cooking lessons (for a history see Home on the Range entry). How do I know he continues his interest in cooking, you might ask? Upon entering my kitchen I couldn't help but notice my Cuisinart in his "toy basket". I kid you not, the pernicious poodle stole my Cuisinart! Well, maybe he just borrowed it. Apparently Baron is not a fan of my cooking (neither is anyone else) and thinks he can do a better job - poodles can be arrogant.

I am convinced Baron is a canine version of my son. When he was in high school, by beloved human offspring brought my Cuisinart to school for his "demonstration speech." It has not been seen since. I actually tried to obtain the video of this speech, as it contained the last sighting of my cuisinart. Baron has a similar interest in the replacement.

Well, there you have it. Baron continues to express an interest in cooking, and while I do believe in supporting one's interests (even if "one" is a dog), enough is enough. I expected him to consider agility, rally or even hunting (without the gun). I guess he is interested in another part of the food chain - not the retrieval of the duck but the part that comes next - cooking it - or something. I just hope he doesn't try his paw at my specialty - "Special Mommy Eggs." It is a secret family recipe.
All for now,
Heatedly,
Botswain

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Improvements

Hi All,

The big news today is that my husband thinks Baron is almost done with obedience because his behavior has greatly improved. This is true he actually has improved! Now when I enter the house he is able to stop jumping on me - eventually. He no longer takes things off the counter and instead focuses on the stove but has not tried his paw at cooking lately. He stole a package of Kleenex from my purse, but neglected to eat the whole thing.

Baron still tries to sit on the laps of any guests to our home, but is able to get off upon command (and upon my pulling on his collar). He is getting better at coming. He comes when called as long as I continue to encourage him after the original call. This requires throwing kisses at him and promising nothing bad will happen to him if he comes (i.e. no visit to the vet etc). It takes awhile but as long as I'm not in a hurry, it works out fine.
I'm encouraged!
Botswain
PS
I think my husband might be a little too optimistic, what do think?

Friday, October 9, 2009

Baron is going to Camp

Hi All,
Yes, dear readers, it is true - Baron is going to CAMP!!! He leaves on Thursday and I pick him up on Monday. How exciting is that? He can't decide which toys to pack - packing is always a challenge in our family. The trainer suggested I pack his agility equipment, but we decided that was really overdoing it. Of course Baron will arrive at camp with his own food and treats - all carefully selected duck and potato.

Hopefully you know me well enough by now to question my motivation for sending Baron to camp. Maybe not, after all, I am a sucker my curly haired 4-legged gremlin (note the Halloween theme). No, I am not crazy enough to send him to a traditional overnight camp where you sleep in a tent and roast marshmallows. This camp focuses on training. I'll dispense with the euphemisms; it is BOOT CAMP! He is going to stay with his trainer for 3 days; while she has him 24/7, she will work on his behavioral discrepancies (see all of the previous blogs entries for details).

I am so excited about this. Imagine how altered his behavior will be upon his return. He will be a "dream dog" - perfectly behaved. He will no longer snatch the soup ladle as he did last night, and run around the house with it, hoping for a game of "Chase the Dog." He will learn new games, like "sit, stay, come". These are the games that humans love to play, but some dogs (i.e. Baron) balk at.

I will keep you posted on Baron's success at camp. I hope he doesn't get homesick. I would hate to receive a phone call from his trainer asking me to come and get him.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
Whatever will I write about once Baron is a poster boy for obedience?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Baron Obedient?

Hi All,
Today was a red letter day for Baron!!! He received his first ever compliment on his behavior. We were leaving the veterinarian's office when a woman remarked on how well behaved Baron is. She was not joking! Of course he was the only dog in the waiting room at the time, and didn't jump on the counter until she left; but a compliment is a compliment! Maybe there is something to this obedience work - after all, I'm behaving a lot better!
Obediently yours,
Botswain

PS
It probably also helped that Baron did a little agility work prior to visiting the vetinarian; he was tired (Baron, not the vet). This will be our secret.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Learning to Read

Hi All,

Baron wants to learn to read! Isn't he smart? I know, dear readers, you are doubting that even a dog as intelligent as a poodle would have an interest in reading. Set your doubts aside, it is true! How do I know this? In the past 2 weeks, Baron, discovering that he is unable to read small print (dogs' eyes do not function as ours do), has tried using my reading glasses. I guess he wants to be like me, what a compliment! Unfortunately, his fine motor skills are not very good (paws have their limitations), and he has crushed 2 pairs of my prescription reading glasses. Once he discovered he couldn't wear the glasses, his curiosity got the better of him. He wondered what glasses would taste like. I'm sure he thought of it as a scientific experiment: does one pair of glasses taste the same as another? As of yet, he has not shared his conclusions with me. I do admire his quest for knowledge.

I am considering getting Baron his own pair of reading glasses; I am certain he would then leave mine alone. First I will have to make an appointment with the canine opthamologist (yes, dear readers, there is such a thing).

Do you think I should forget about obedience classes and get Baron a reading tutor? In our area there are many dogs, who, with their humans, go to libraries and read to the children. I had always thought it was the humans who read the books, but maybe I got it wrong!
Intelligently yours,
Botswain

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Baron - hyperactive?

Hi All,

I hope I am not jumping the gun here, but I think Baron might be hyperactive (ADHD). He has a hard time sitting still, especially when requested to do so. He has difficulty settling down (especially on the "down" command) and focusing his attention on important projects, such as dog obedience. When I gently request that he come, he refuses to do so unless food is involved. When playing with his friends, he tends to get out of control, and before you know it someone gets hurt and is crying (or growling). It doesn't matter what toys I put out, Baron has a hard time sharing. If I try to play with his toys, he runs over and tries to grab them right out of my hands - very unpleasant when you consider he uses his teeth to do so.

While I am not known for my skills at softball, on occasion I have tried to engage Baron in a friendly game of catch. While he lacks a mitt, he again, does have that mouth (you know - the one with all the teeth). He catches the ball quite well, and although unable to throw it back to me (oh no - does he have gross motor difficulties also?), he does manage to return the ball. He runs back to me with the ball in his mouth. My husband informed that this is not called softball, but "fetch" - no wonder softball was never my sport.

Baron loves to fetch the ball. It warms my heart to watch him run enthusiastically to the ball and bring it back to me. Of course I have to grab the ball out of the mouth of a moving target as he rushes past. Actually, I have become quite quick. Unfortunately, this game deteriorates into Baron deciding to pounce on me, not the ball. My enjoyment in this game wanes when 70 pounds of poodle hurtles himself at me. This is further evidence of ADHD, as, again, he loses interest in the task at hand and doesn't follow through.

Hey - does this sound familiar? Could Baron really be a male child cleverly disguised as a dog? After all, he does have my curly hair, and, I hate to brag, but also my sweet disposition!

I have checked with the veterinarian and there is no such thing as "doggie ritulin." This was a huge disappointment to me because I was hoping one pill would fix what is plainly a biological problem.

All for now, Baron is staring longingly at a china figurine.
Botswain