A little over a month ago I decided I wanted a dog. I'd always said that having a dog in my house was an absolute no - only because I have a small house and there's a leash law in Durham, so a dog can't run free. I grew up in the country, where our dog(s) could just go out and play and run as long as they wanted to. I didn't think it was fair to keep a dog in the house all the time.Well... after the bullet incident, I started to rethink my "dog-in-the-house" philosophy. A couple of days later, Cadey entered my home, and not to sound ultra cliche and cheesy, but this crazy dog entered my heart as well. She's a goof ball - FULL of energy! Sometimes she's a bit much for me, and I think, "what have I done!?" But all in all, she's my baby, and as crazy as she is, I am now responsible for giving her the best doggy life I can. I've taken all kinds of advice from some very experienced dog people.
Here's what I've learned:
Talk in my "man" voice.
No attention unless all 4 paws are on the ground.
Be a tree!
I am the pack leader - oh yeah.
A tired dog is not an aggressive dog.
And my favorite...
A plastic bottle with 50 cents of pennies is worth a million bucks.
I kid you not. Cadey is a jumper. I swear, she will jump on anyone that walks through the door. It's not cool, and it's somewhat embarrassing. I want people to see her, and to like her, but I don't want her to hurt them! (I kind of have a tiny bit of awareness now how parents feel when they have kids who won't behave... they love them, and want other people to love them, but they're scared to leave their kid alone with someone for fear of what they'll do!)
Well... my sister in law, Jamie, was here on Saturday, and said that she
has a German Shepherd who used to jump on everyone too. She told me this magical secret... a plastic bottle with pennies in it. Every time Cadey jumps, I shake the bottle, and she HATES the sound!! Everyone was at the house that day (we celebrated our Christmas early). I was too nervous to bring her out, but Jamie convinced me to try. I kid you not, with that bottle in hand, Cadey sat down, and let everyone come pet her. Even my little nieces!! This bottle is my new best friend. I fully plan to place many of them around the house when I get home!Whosoever loveth me loveth my hound.
-Sir Thomas More
