I have had my fill of frustration over the past few days. Willow is cutting the last of her adult teeth and rather then focus on chewing, she’s decided to make an attempt to become pack leader of the house.
Dakota finally had enough this morning and tossed her around a bit in the backyard. No, we weren’t irresponsible and let it happen. Both Joe and I supervised as they ‘played’ and when it got to be too much, we removed one of them from the situation. Neither of them were hurt, but it became apparent through the growling and sneering that it wasn’t playtime anymore.
Willow and I have been struggling all week. I apply too many human emotions to our fights, and it gets me in trouble. I feel bad disciplining her. I want her to trust me, and want to be around me, and I’m terrified that if I do the wrong thing, we’ll lose the connection forever.
Each night this week we’ve been through a similar routine. I release her from her crate, she bounds for the back slider, but won’t go out until I step out with her. She jumps all over me for a few minutes while I try to body block.
Things get tricky once they’ve devoured their dinners. I have to keep her entertained or she’ll destroy the house. Part of keeping her entertained turns into her trying to bark as loud as she can. With decibels pushing past that of a vacuum, bearing her relentless shouting is one of the most annoying things of the event. I can’t yell back or it will turn into a game. All I can do is pretend it doesn’t bother me. I keep dipping into the patience reserve. And I think I’m to the point where my patience needs a bail out.
Besides her tirade of Ann Coulter like proportions, Willow likes to pretend she’s a police dog and I’m the criminal she’s going to take down. Keep in mind, I NEVER encourage mouthy behavior. I’ve been diligent about making this behavior stop, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t try. The behavior bothers me of course, but more frustrating then a 7 month old puppy hanging on my arm is the fact that everyone is a critic. If I hear one more antidote I may bare my teeth and lunge.
What people don’t understand is I am trying my best, and the last thing I need is another person pointing out the obvious. My favorite so far was a comment along the lines of “you better fix that soon or else you won’t be able to have her around babies.” One, it’s a work in progress, only time will tell how soon she gets it. Two, assigning a deadline is so unreasonable. Forget the fact that babies are a far off ideal. I can’t say, “Willow, by Wednesday at Noon, I need you to stop this habit forever.”
The weekend can’t come fast enough. Both Joe and I will be gone on Saturday, work and baby shower respectively. But at least I can find comfort in the fact that weekends are special for the pups. They get to spend more time running and playing, and I get to relax once they’re good and tired.
Activity for the pups this weekend – Nice long walk on Sunday
Activity for me – Hopefully a nice long run before their nice long walk.
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