Getting Better Day by Day

Thursday, 10/28/10

I suddenly realized yesterday that Gimme was fussing so much less about being crated that I didn't even notice when she stopped.  She seems to have really accepted our routine over the last few days.  Of course it helps that I actually have a routine now.

I purchased a new toy for her to play with while I put on my socks and shoes, and she really enjoyed it.  However, she really enjoys the socks-and-shoes game she invented more.  So the moment those came out, she came running to add funny to my morning.  Naturally she learned to get on the couch, so she can get behind me to snag the sock I'm hiding while I'm getting the other one on - adding a new twist to our morning fun.

And, as luck would have it, just as we went out yesterday one of those noisy buses went by.  She barely noticed it.  I just don't understand how we are getting all this noisy traffic lately.  Maybe its always been there and I just never noticed it before.  When I came out from work, we did our usual potty walk (takes six seconds since she drops her heiney the moment she gets to grass).  Then I did some training with her in the parking lot.  She really pays no attention to most vehicles, probably because they've been a good part of our go-to-work days all along.

This evening we started working on eye contact and weren't making any headway, since she can be verrrrry persistent about mugging my hands.  So I decided we should start with Doggy Zen (you have to give it up to get it, grasshopper).  She picked that up pretty quickly.  Of course, the initial lesson is simply, mug all you want, that's not how you get the treat.  Anything that isn't mugging gets a treat.  Being the clever little girl that she is, and having just learned that morning how to get on the couch, she thought getting up there and climbing on my shoulders and shinnying down my arm to the hand should be worth a reward.  It was pretty funny and she did it twice, but got no reward for it, so I probably won't see it again. 

She is really loving our evening snuggles on the couch.  Once I've done whatever little project needs doing and the others have settled into their places under the comforter, Gimme gets to come out for cuddle time.  She plays for a few minutes, nibbling gently on my hands (she's done great learning bite inhibition), then she snuggles in for a long warm puppy snooze.  I really love these times, being a die hard couch potato myself.