Sunday, November 15, 2009

Finding Fun around the House and the New Trainer


Hi Friends! Skyler and I have had a ton going on. We apologize for the silence, but don't think the craziness has quieted. I've been really busy with school work and preparing for our move back to Massachusetts. So, for the past two weeks, we haven't had time for much of anything. We have our morning walks and Ryan and Skyler have their night walks, but no Frick. That's right ladies and gentlemen, no frisbee, no tennis balls and no free reign squirrel chasing. It's been driving Skyler nuts. 
       At times like these, the little angel finds his own fun with socks, shoes and my collection of Brides Magazines.
       By this afternoon, I think all three of us were getting a little tired of sitting on the sofa doing work. Sitting between my fiancee and I typing on laptops is not Skyler's idea of a fun afternoon. So, we played hide-and-go-seek. My fiancee and I were the hiders and Skyler always the seeker, but you'd be surprised to learn how long this went on for before it got old. 
       We talked to another trainer back in Massachusetts. We'd like to bring Skyler and my parents new puppy to classes each week. Upon our first discussion, the trainer established that I'm making some pretty significant boo-boos with the munchkin. 
       In his eyes I shouldn't be:
       1. Sleeping with Skyman: He said this diminishes my power as the alpha. He said Skyler should be sleeping at the bottom of the bed or even on the floor, but that we should definitely not be spooning. And while I can see his point, I don't think the sleeping situation is going to change anytime soon. We have to draw the line somewhere and snuggling is a top priority.
       2. Skyler shouldn't be fed by hand anymore. Now, this directly opposes our last trainer's method. But we'll try it.
       3. Limit the snacks. He said that giving your dog snacks all the time is not something that happens in the dog world. He said a dog typically gives another dog their food when they're intimidated by that dog. I'm not sure if I buy the intimidation deal, but I do believe in dog obesity and I definitely don't want to be faced with that someday in the future. So we'll monitor the snack giving. I'll admit I share dinner sometimes. This is a behavior I have to work on. 
       Doggie opinions anyone?

Skyler Solves the Case of the Missing Person Video

Check out Skyler's most recent antics. New Video!!