I have no evidence that this has any part in this behavior shift, but I bought my friend's baby a Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Soothe and Glow Seahorse for Christmas, and I fell in love with it. It plays the most soothing music and sea "bubbling" sounds and its belly lights up. Ok, so my favorite part is the music. I could've used this thing last night when I was trying to fall asleep but couldn't.
I decided to see what would happen if I showed it to the dogs. I expected them to go nuts and want to rip it out of my hands, but they were seriously mesmerized! Like, I've never seen them like this, mesmerized.
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| I've been told this thing is like "baby crack", but I never expected this. |
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| Mine? |
I added it to my Amazon wish list. No, I'm not kidding.
Speaking of Pippi, I've decided all her adorable jumping on me and scratching and bruising me has got to stop. I understand that she's a puppy, but dude! I decided to follow Kara's example and try Squirt Bottle Training (yes, I made up that very technical term). I know it's a controversial topic, but my findings are this: IT WORKS. I got the squirt bottles yesterday and Pippi only had to be squirted once for jumping and once for getting on the counter. She didn't do it again. All we had to do after that was pick up the spray bottle and she sat down instead.
And now, in case that put a bee in your bonnet, another cute dog picture for you. This is my friend's dog the day I was at her house for my birthday.
Notice all the rawhides beside her bed. She kept going to her toy basket and getting one and then laying down, and then after a while she'd get up and get another. Proof dogs have a sense of humor.
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| ...as do baby Halloween costume makers. |
This weekend I'm getting back on track with a long run, because, as Kara reminded me, "half marathons don't run themselves". Cripes.
Have you tried any controversial pet training techniques?
Do you have friends who make you feel guilty when you slack on working out?
