Despite a work schedule and pace that may just make my eyes bleed, we enjoyed some weekend visitors. One unexpected. One not.
Our buddy Angus, who came visiting earlier this week, took advantage of the batteries in his invisible fence collar going bad to partake in another adventure Sunday. At first I saw him in someone’s yard, and I figured they’d grabbed him. BUT, when I went to make lunch, I saw him 2 more pastures down poking around.
So, I kept my wild beasts inside and went out to our fence. I hollered, “Angus, is that you?” He stopped and looked at me. I tried recalling him, but he did not budge. So, I squatted down, looked away, and made kissy noises.
It worked. He came barreling toward me, so I ran to grab my gate opener — promising him treats and praising him the whole time. He followed instructions and my movement toward the road and came racing in the open gate when I called him to safety.
What a good boy! I wish I could be sure my dogs would respond so well to a relative stranger. Angus and I see each other in social situations once on a while, but he hardly knows me knows me.
Once again, I did not subject him to Lilly or Ginko since I was in the middle of a tough website writing project. But, I did take the opportunity to shoot a little video of him so that you can see what a great buddy he is. He is such a classic, perfect lab that it cracks me up. Ah … to have such a well-adjusted, non-fearful dog. A girl can dream!
Clearly, I wasn’t paying attention to camera angle. Ha! Beginners!
When I drove him home, I realized that his three canine packmates as well as his two equine pals were all out poking around, so I parked on the road and walked him in, rather than risk opening the big driveway gate and unleashing two-species pandemonium.
Thanks. My sister asked last night if the blog was “required work.” I
think she doubted that anyone would miss us if I didn’t post 5 days a
week as usual.
I believe that Lilly took off after Katie when I
released her. She was impatient with the other 2 who did NOT sit still
like I asked. Notice she’s the only one holding her stay?
She does sometimes act fearful of the camera, so you could be right.
Angus
is a doll. The experience with him made me wonder if we should ask
GIGI if we can practice recalls on other dogs at class because I really
would WANT Lilly to come to someone, if she was loose and needed help.
Even if we can’t do it as part of the real class, I might have you do
some recalls next time we’re both there. And, I might ask some
neighbors to come practice too.
It would be a good skill for Lilly to have, I think. BUT, it might be too advanced since she’s still only using POKE (hand target) to interact with people.
Then, again, when we used to do pass the pup at class, Lilly would work for other people. Once … a long time ago … she even worked for a couple of young boys who thought she was WAY more interesting than their untrained dog at class. I gave them food and let them have at it. It was pretty funny to watch her work for them.
Still … those people were not trying to grab her collar or leash her the way someone would if she ever got loose.
It’s great to have you back Roxanne!
I wondered who Lilly’s bossiness was directed toward after that photo. It sort of looks like she’s nervous about the camera, trying not to face it head-on. I’ve read that dogs sometimes view cameras like eyes staring at them – so they try not to look at them.
Angus is such a lab, in that happy-go-lucky kind of way!
I have the same problem with my Canon camera. I have no idea how to switch the orientation of the video once I get it on the computer. Because of this, I have a lovely video of Marge enjoying a cheeseburger after the CGC that one much tilt their head to fully appreciate.
Angus is quite the escape artist. He sure is cute. I know what you mean about a dog who isn’t afraid of anyone. Since Marge is my first dog, I can’t imagine what it’s like to own the stereotypical friendly dog. But I’d not trade her for anything, of course. And I’m sure you feel that way with Lilly, too!