DIY–Training DOG

Posted on August 30, 2008
Filed Under LIFE, PETS | Viewed 334 times

Moochie has been with us for 7 months now. She will be 9 months old next week, about 45 lbs—already a big dog, but still a puppy by built and by heart, according to dog standards for their breed. Golden Retrievers are known to be the second most popular bred dog in America, and are ranked the 4th brightest among the breeds of dogs. They are loving, intelligent, friendly, energetic, cheerful, graceful, strong and muscular.

Since Moochie came into our lives, she has learned a lot of tricks—all DIY, not trained by a professional. She can catch (food especially) with precision, retrieve things, sit, shake hands, stay, lie down, and most especially be a sweet doggie. Bread or cereals have been the key to her training, and the words “good girl” or “bad girl” her gauge for doing right. The kids are working on how she can “roll over”, but it seems like they have a long way to go.

Each time a family member comes home, she always has something to bring—a slipper (it has to be Havaianas or Ipanema—she snubs the ordinary tsinelas, maybe because when she gnaws on these slippers, she is scolded, and scolding means attention), a shoe, a hanky, a hair brush, even just a piece of paper that she picks along the way, which according to the kids, is her way of bringing a “pasalubong”.

Sometimes, she gets to be naughty—she has so far chewed Monica’s old cellphone, thank God it is the old one, chewed some reading materials, ate rolls of toilet paper, stole a raw fish from the refrigerator that was left open by one of the kids and many others. Whenever Steph comes to the house, she would take Steph’s hand by the mouth as if leading her inside the house. She kisses us, urrrgh sometimes on the lips while asleep. She tries to behave while the family is praying the Rosary in the evening. She loves to sleep in air-conditioned comfort, and seems to have a doggie battle in her brain when one of the kids invites her to sleep with him/her, but is not turning the a/c on. The cutest thing we have seen her so far do was catching raindrops with her tongue, quietly savoring every second. When she saw us watching her (her rare moment of peace and quiet), she shyly stood and walked past us.

Most evenings when I work, Moochie just stays quietly by my feet, she knows when to just stay and remain quiet, when to cheer me up, and when to entertain with her tricks, but sometimes she gets carried away and prances around the house, as though she were its mistress.

As a parting word before I say HAPPY WEEKEND, here are some lessons from DOG (you’ll find more from myepinOy’s BLOG):

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Comments

5 Responses to “DIY–Training DOG”

Tina of MyGoodFinds on August 31st, 2008 10:54 am

Hi Mommy Dine,

Moochie is so lovable with her antics. Maybe the chewing will be helped with more walks or chew bones(large beef bones). Your kids are doing a great job with the training.

Our Brady expresses his displeasure of being left behind by chewing on anything paper that he could find and Little K’s stuff.

Happy Weekend!
verns on August 31st, 2008 6:27 pm

Ahhhh…an expensive dog chewing expensive stuff huh hehe

Dogs are really lovable. I wish someday I’ll get the chance to own one.
Rach (Heart of Rachel) on August 31st, 2008 11:20 pm

Moochie is a lovely dog. I could tell that she’s very intelligent and affectionate. I find it endearing how she greets members of the family by bringing an item from the house. It’s an offering that reflects how glad she is to see you come home.
kyels on September 2nd, 2008 10:13 am

I love dogs and they are really lovable animals. It took me ages to get myself acquainted w/a new dog when my poodle/dachshund passed away 2 years ago. Right now I have a Silky Terrier and she’s so active! Always running around like a bullet train … And very hyperactive. But she’s the apple of our eyes just like how Moochie is to everyone in your familia!
annamanila on September 6th, 2008 2:26 pm

Moochie seems to be a sweet, sweet, aww-shucks doggie. I dont mind being kissed on the lips by him. hahaha

Thanks for this beautiful tribute to a dog.

We also have a favorite dog in the family—Piggy—who happens to be a mongrel, no-breed- but-has-a lot-of-breeding-dog. She will go down in dog history as probably the only dog who is called “Tita Piggy” by year-old Apo Andeng. Have been meaning to blog about Piggy for a long time now. Will get around to it one day soon.

Hugs to Moochie.