C-O-M-E

OK all you dippydog devotees (I know you're out there! The pappariazzi are getting annoying!) the time has come for you to offer help and suggestions. I'm trying to teach Dippy to come at the dog park (or indeed anywhere else she is not on her leash). She will come in the house just fine. She will come while attached to the leash. She just will NOT come when off lead. I know, I know. Food. While this works to get her out of Cha Cha's (as long as it's good food) it does not at all work at the dog park and I'll explain why... she will not eat anything at the dog park. Nothing. She will not eat food that has been TO the dog park. I mean, I got desperate today and took those little Baby Bell cheese things in the red wax. Normally she would mug me for those. Tricks. Chores. Anything. Really. But at the dog park, they're chopped liver (and not in the good way). In the mouth... on the ground.

So, that's the top of the "food chain." If she won't eat those, food won't work. Any other ideas?? She was coming for a while today when we first got there. Only 2 other dogs and even if she was running around she would come over to me (get the treat and spit it out). So I tried to get tricky. I picked up the leash and called her. Done for the day. She would come near me after a while if I wasn't holding the leash, but no more "come" at all. This needs to be solved. I'm at my wits end and all the trainers I have talked to suggest food. Anyone with alternate sugegstions is invited, nay begged, to write.

Sharon

If you thought the hole in the yard was big...

Well, the upside is that we needed new carpet anyway. The lesson is that if you leave a Shiba (who has decided to be a teenager this week) in the house unsupervised when she wants to go out she will tear a hole about 2 1/2 inches in diameter in the carpet. Who knew? She's always been so good. I don't know if it's a teenage rebellion thing, if it was a one time thing, or what.

So the next time I left her alone I put her in her crate again. I'm distracted sometimes (it's finals season) but I'm not stupid. Wreck the house once, shame on you. Wreck the house twice, shame on me! Unfortunately, this led to a day-long Shiba sulk fest. Every time I called her, she went into her crate. Every time I tried to give her a roo-roo (treat) she went into her crate. She defiantely knew she had been bad. I just hope she figured out WHY (doubt it). The worst thing about dogs and very young children is that you just can't make them understand what they did wrong. Unless you catch them in the act you can't scold them. She knew I was mad though - and how!

Never the less, she's still my darling girl. She went to day care twice this week (so I could study) and we went to the park (McKinley) to chase squirrels today. I'm sure she will enjoy the month I have completely off. Not as much as I will though! We're off tomorrow to PetSmart to have her picture taken with Santa. OK, OK, I know she's not Christian but it'll be cute anyway. I'll post it when I can. Happy Holidays (whatever holiday you celebrate).

Sharon