Gone to the Dogs - Day 28

 Momentarily Distracted 

Something has caught their attention...

- should they run to check it out?     

Casper and Spirit keep an eye on the neighborhood, and very little gets past them. Especially the neighbors' dogs out on the road.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 27

An Interrupted Conversation  

An interrupted conversation

- the dogs look guilty     

Casper and Spirit look like third-graders caught in a surreptitous chat. What could they possibly be discussing?

Gone to the Dogs - Day 25

Casper and Spirit Sitting and Waiting  

Casper and Spirit do a lot of sitting and waiting when we're in the pen with them

- they're waiting for something good and they want to be close to it when it happens   

Casper and Spirit are trained to sit and wait for treats. They usually have to do a trick like give a "Paw" and shake hands, or "Lie Down". They have learned to stay close and be ready when the treats come appear.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 24

Casper and Spirit Playing "Tag-You're-It"  

Casper and Spirit work off a lot of steam playing running games

- their wagging tails show it's all in fun   

Casper and Spirit both love jumping at each other for fun and then running away. Like youngsters playing tag, they don't realize it's good for them.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 22

A Momentary Distraction  

Even though there's a treat coming, Casper has to check out something across the way    

- Spirit stays fixed on the prize.   

The dogs are constantly on alert for anything out of the ordinary - including an extra treat tucked in a pocket.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 17

Play-fighting and Play-biting  

Play-fighting keeps dogs sharp for real encounters    

- they think it's just a game    

Dogs who play-fight and play-bite are able to practice a range of dominant and submissive displays which they can use in encounters with other animals that they are meeting for the first time. This puppy-style romping and running around is still lots of fun for adult dogs. And it's great exercise, too.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 14

Two in the Doorway  

Rushing the Gates    

- who will be first out to get the treats?    

The doorway in the doghouse is small. One dog at a time can get through with no trouble.
Two dogs, however, presents a traffic jam.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 11

Nibbling and not-Nipping  

It's About Not-Biting The Hand That Feeds You    

-  and the gloves are really for protection against the cold    

Grabbing that treat and running with it to a safe spot isn't working here.
So, it's nibble and chew. And be aware of where the biscuit is and where the fingers are.
And be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 5

Comfortable At Home  

Waiting to See What Will Happen Next    

-  it's bound to be interesting    

Casper and Spirit are cousins. Their mothers, two sisters, got out of our friends' garden together and roamed the neighbourhood for a while, with predictable results. There were nine puppies altogether from two litters, and these two chose to come home with us. We think it was a good choice.

Gone to the Dogs - Day 2

Casper on Alert  

Casper and Spirit in the Doghouse Doorway    

- vigilant guard dogs    

We made the doghouse doorway small so as to keep the heat inside in the winter and to keep the doghouse cool in summer. A dog can go through comfortably, but only one dog at a time, although both dogs could poke their heads out together. Right now, Casper is on alert, and so Spirit will have to wait to get out.