Re: Dog Rules

Oh yes! Those rules must apply world wide. We have a new one at our house recently, a stuffed animal, preferably a white one, must be taken outside and deposited in the sand; this applies especially if it has rained! So most of our baskets of "stuffies" now look like they have been rolled in mud!
It's difficult to learn all of their rules.

Re: Dog Rules

Actually that rule doesn't just apply to dogs. We have 5 cats (yes 5!!) and they race us up and down the stairs as well as the younger dog, so we always have to be careful we don't get pushed down! The games they play:)

Re: Dog Rules

I love that! I can totally relate! Mine race me down to the bedroom and back down the hallway again from the bedroom - I can't quietly walk out of the room without them flying between my legs to get ahead of me and each other.....yup, i don't understand their rules either!

Re: Dog Rules

I can definitely relate! Another rule my dogs have decided upon is if I'm settling down to watch a movie or to talk on the phone, they must find their squeak toys and go to town on them. I can't help but laugh!

Re: Dog Rules

I agree! My little one will plow me down just to beat me to the top of the stairs. But she will wait for my husband and would never try to plow him over! He says because he's the alpha dog, but I think he's just way bigger than her and she's not stupid! She knows if he tries to plow her down... she's dead! She also has the rule of taking any and all plastic bottles and chewing the labels off and leaves them in from of me to pick them up. She then pursues to take off the cap and leave that for me... This is an everday thing! It looks like something got into my recyclables before I even put them out! She has them all separated for me already!

Re: Dog Rules

Aah, yes! My two labs absolutely must beat me up and/or down the stairs. Good thing I have a railing or I'd most likely be knocked down the stairs. The same thing occurs when we head out the door to play. They practically knock the door off it's hinges to get out. However, coming in is another story as they are slower than molasses in January to enter the house.

Re: Dog Rules

yes the stairs thing is something I deal with too. but the pulling the toys under the furnicher is something i was wondering about. when my shorthairs were puppies they loved to do this and the only way to get them back out was to lift the furnicher and someone shoo them out. there must be an easier way. I mean they already have what they want underthere with them so what is to motavate them to come out?

Re: Dog Rules

All sizes of K9s and felines--affectionately known in our home as Fur People--will challenge you for the up stairs or down stairs race and they usually win. Another thing my kritters do is race to get in front of me and then stop so I am unable to move. Guess that makes sure they know where I am and they are with me. My lab puppy--just one year old--leads the pack and runs us all over in the door entry/exit. Know we are supposed to train them NOT to do these things and they are pretty good on a one to one, but when they all get together it can sometimes be chaos. Needless to say, we love them anyway and put up with whatever we must.

Re: Dog Rules

I agree with pointerheaven. One of the most common rules seems to be that a human must always retrieve a "lost" toy from under a piece of furniture. And generally, as soon as it has been "fetched" from under a couch/chair/TV stand/dresser, the dogs will play with it right there until it goes back under. I thankfully HAVE managed to train my girls about stairs, though. They won't go up or down until I tell them "OK", and if they start without me I just have to say, "Wait" and they come right back to the step they weren't supposed to move from.

Re: Dog Rules

I totally agree. Simon and Sebastian are always attached to me like Velcro. Whether up and down the steps or just around the house, they are right there with me. I've learned to just let them get ahead of me going down the steps as they've almost knocked me down once. So as I start to go down, I stop and let them keep going so no one tumbles!
Jeanine

Re: Dog Rules

I can relate to that for sure. Although our one golden has gotten problems with arthritis now so that has slowed him down quiite a bit unfortunately.

Re: Dog Rules

So funny ... yes my 2 golden retrievers used to do the stairs race. Now they are geriatric and often wait to see if I'm actually going to stay up or down before they make the effort to climb or descend the stairs. We also have 3 cats. The youngest cat is the "stairmaster". If he is ON the stairway - anywhere - nobody else is allowed to pass. The dogs will stand at the top of the stairs and whimper, the 2 older cats will make themselves comfortable until he leaves the passageway open. If a human dares to go up or down - he or she gets a paw-swipe as they go by.Funny to see the power that a 10 pound cat can weild on two 80 lb dogs and 2 other cats !

Re: Dog Rules

This is the best. We have a large dog that almost knocks us down every time we go up or down the stairs. Better yet is my six year old son and the dog have this contest together so you not only have the dog running you over but also my son . My son actually has tumbled a few times but he laughs at it.

best dogs in the world!

they are soooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Dog Rules

Well the dogs wana be at the top of the food chain, so there for they must get to the top of the stairs before there owners:)

Bill

Re: Caring for a Dog

Re: Caring for Pets

My parents live in Boca Raton, FL. and have an adorable West Highland Terrior. He has brought them lots of love & fulfillment. We have organized a much needed visit for them to come to MN and see their grandchildren for the winter holidays from 12/23 to 1/5. The problem is they cant take the dog and are having a tough time trying to find someplace/someone affordable to watch the dog (local daily rates run around $45-55+...for 14 days that runs around $700!). When your working with a limited income (which would describe most Seniors) you just can't afford that extra expense and therefore are reluctant to visit family-long distance.

I am wondering if there is a way to locally match up Pet owners with Dog lovers (perhaps active seniors) who could care for dogs inexpensively ($15-20/day). The pet owner could provide food and anything else needed to care for animal. The Dog lover would need to provide some care but I would think they would enjoy doing it. Does anyone know wether this kind of thing exists? With the baby boomers aging, I would think that their would be a real need for something like this!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!