What has surprised you this week?

[CorvusCorax]

....about your dogs?

Nice, annoying, funny, whatever.

Mine is that B can 'platz' as well as down. Tried it a few months ago and thought it was a fluke but he does definitely know what it means - either that or I have a scary voice that makes him hit the deck

I've had him nearly two years, that's an impressive memory!
That's as far as his reach of German seems to extend though, yes, I did try a few more

Your turn

 

[kirstyhen]

Otto is also bi-lingual! He can speak Welsh as the breeder spoke Welsh to all his animals. Funnily enough my OH's first language is Welsh... however Otto ignores him whatever he says to him, although OH claims it's because he speaks a different form of Welsh....

Otto always surprises me, usually by leaping on my head when I'm half asleep

He hasn't necessarily surprised me this week, but I was thinking this morning as he was rampaging around the woods, flying back to me with a stupid grin on his face and watching me like a hawk incase I legged it, how this time last year he was still on the long line, still in his own little world and not even glancing in my direction!

 

[MissJael]

I've learned that trying to train a 5yr old lab is pointless lol.
He was my brother's dog until he decided after he got married last yr that he didn't have time for him (don't start me). Now though, my bro has time for 2 springerxcollie pups! (don't start me on that either).
He's never had any training whatsoever and I'm trying to get basic manners instilled in him, along with getting him to retrieve dummies. All was going well until yesterday when he decided to run round the dummy and try to chew it.

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

That Peanuts can definitely, definitely, definitely read my mind.

Also, that dogs just don't get Skype

 

[Taffyhorse]

Being offered a dog was my biggest surprise this week

2 yr old BC male - lovely dog, I'm mad keen, just need to work on the OH a bit more... cooked him steak last night and he came with me to see dog today (he's at the yard where I keep Taff) and we took him for a walk, all very good so far...

Am cooking another fave tonight so keep your fingers crossed for me

 

[Patches]

I'm surprised by how quickly Harvey is picking things up. Jasper's brain cells were clearly lacking because it took him until 5 years old to EVER ask to go outside to the toilet.

This last week, when he was 13 weeks old, Harvey was sitting at the door and crying to go outside for the toilet. He will proper bark when it's a number 2 as well.

I am impressed at how easily he's picked up the "wait" command when he's being fed. That has now transferred to razing him up with a toy, making him want it, and then placing it on the floor infront of him and saying "wait". He won't take the toy until I say he can. His focus has shifted from staring at the food/toy and looking towards me, waiting for my cue to allow him to have it.

I'm sure I'll be equally surprised at just how stupid he will make me feel at Dogskool next week though. Eeeeep!

 

[WoopsiiD]

I was surprised that Milly can dive into a pond and almost take down a Canadian Goose much to the joy of EVERYONE in the park yet cannot get out unaided!

 

[itsme123]

That Rosie is most excited by 'dad' picking up her toys and pretending to chew them. She yaps and circles until he hands them over, then hides said toy. This goes on until her toy basket is empty and there's a pile of toys behind the door curtain. High wag the whole way through, great game lol.

That getting her out of our bed was easier than I thought. Shes now happily settled in HER bed next to ours and bar her getting the royal hump one night because the cat evicted her from her bed (she climbed back in on top of him after alot of yipping) she's been great.

That she's fiercly protective of the children and I. Out walking at dusk a man jogged up behind us and she flung herself at him snarling and yapping. Man just about bobbed himself and I was mortified. She's done this when people have come to the door if it's just me and her at home too. We're now working on getting this settled down to a bark or two as opposed to full blown yapping and teeth bared.

That my first impressions of her were right. She's a handful but intelligent and easy to train. Shes started loving her walks too. Her favourite day of the week is wednesday which means a morning at the yard running round the field, then onto her breeders for lots of fuss, and then to the school to collect the children which means hoards of children queuing up to stroke her. She adores being out and about.

Finally that cutting out commercial food was THE best move I ever made as regards my dogs and cats. Cheaper, she eats the LOT and no more smelly wind. She's brighter almost immediately and has bags more energy. I'm SO impressed I've changed the kid's diets too lol!!