OH YEAH!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by BigFootClub

Written 5/29/09

Today, in addition to being Friday (Celebration of the start of the weekend,) was Take Your Dog to Work Day, per the Office Manager, sometimes known as Big, Black & Fuzzy.  So, I packed the items necessary for all three of us and put on leashes and collars.  I laid the leashes across their backs to collect the bag and keys, then reached for – where was Parker?  Have I ever mentioned that Jade has a bit of an oral fixation.  For those of you who have seen her at shows, this doesn’t bear explanation, but for the rest of you, Jade thinks of life as a full-mouth-contact sport.  She hasn’t yet learned the fine art of nose-bumping, she puts her whole mouth on you, fully open, when she wants to get your attention.  Most Newf puppies have some form of this – they experience the world through their mouth.  Parker likes to taste things, and clean things with his tongue (why did I ever think I needed a housekeeper? <g>)  He loves to carry, so when he was young, he often had a toy in his mouth, and outside he had a stick (cats usually move too fast.)  Banker was a big-time groomer, of everyone, including cats.  Other Newfs have done this too, which of course, made it a little less pleasant to pet a cat at our house at those times.  Tongue sensation may be second only to olfactory senses in terms of Newfoundland fascination.  I think we need to clarify this to novices.  It’s not just that they slobber, but this is the particular part of their body with which they want to make contact with you.  <g>  As they grow up, they learn to be a little more reserved about this.  It seems to subside at about the same rate that chewing does.  But when the puppy in them, or when a humorous streak or the loving or nurturing side of an adult comes out, so does the tongue.

Jade is growing up, as this is unavoidable with all puppies.  She has begun to demonstrate nurturing instincts on Parker, who is fully relieved that when her face comes toward him it is less often that his ears are her tug-of-war targets.

I looked around for a moment, puzzled, and found Parker in the living room with a quizzical look on his face.  It was odd that he had walked away while I was collecting things to walk out the back door, but I realized quickly that Jade had taken Parker by the leash into the living room.  Jade isn’t much of a carrier, but she loves to play tug-of-war, and when she wants to do this on the spur of a moment, and the leash is on with me at the other end, it is a good substitute, in her opinion.  I know better than to encourage this, so have not done that; this is her own drive, and it has been hard to curb.  She is a Newf, and of course, life is supposed to be about having fun.  It is one of the qualities that we enjoy about them.

I collected the dogs and off we went, door locked behind me.  Oh, wait, I forgot a laptop.  This is like practicing for showing in Brace.  We circled, went back in and picked up the laptop, THEN proceeded to work.  On the way, I decided to post a story to the Newf discussion list, but First Things come First, and the Master Office Manager and his Apprentice needed fresh water, and I needed a Dr. Pepper.  After arrangements were made, the thermostat was lowered and all were settled in, I went to my desk to discover that my docking station was empty.  Oh, yeah, I took that one home last night too.

After another trip back to the house, I thought I was ready to begin.  But the Apprentice gave me that look, you know, the one that says “Aren’t you forgetting something?”  (Who, me!?)  <g>  Oh, Cookies!  Cookies are for good puppies, and good puppies get cookies after breakfast, after dinner and at various spontaneous moments throughout the day, for good behavior, a presentation of a stack (in hopes I would notice,) when someone is in a dull mood, or for most any other decent reason or just because.  But, the ones that come after breakfast and after dinner are routinely timed (expected.)  A good Newf is there to make sure that we don’t forget, and they can communicate this in one of several ways.  Parker will spin around and place himself outside the kitchen doorway (he used to cheat and put his toes on the threshold when he was young) because this is the line drawn in the sand for when he is underfoot in the kitchen while we are trying to cook (and it is a small kitchen.)  Jade will look at me mystified, with disbelief, at how I could forget such an important thing.  Either of them may stand and point at the Cookie Cupboard, or collapse into bag of bones with a heavy sigh, as if someone had suddenly let all the air out.  If you notice a more subtle sign and ask them what they want, they WILL tell you.  Jade may shake her head and dance backward a few steps.  Parker will give you the sudden full-eye-contact inquiry to see if you really got it, then blast if you don’t get up and move fast enough.  (He’s otherwise a very polite fellow.  <g>)  Either one of them may go to the Cookie Cupboard and bark loudly.

So, as you can see, Cookies are very important to a good Newf.

As I hung the leashes on the coat rack, I noticed Jade looking at me with a curious fear of disappointment.  (and the thought of disappointing a good Newf is pretty painful)  Oh, yeah!  Cookies!  I packed bananas, but forgot to take cookies!  Forgetting the laptop, or two, is one thing, but HOW could I forget the cookies?!  (I’ve seen that look on a Newf face before when after going out to take care of business and coming back too quickly, I asked if he forgot to poop.  He gave the “Oh, yeah!” expression, then ran back out to the potty yard.)

Fortunately, I keep cookies packed in the dog bag, and occasionally have them in Ziplocs in the van, and I usually keep them in that nice new bag that I got from Target (one that is made for baby stuff that hangs over the back of a headrest or folds into a tote) and, to be sure that I have bait for class, I keep a box of small Milkbones near where the leashes hang.  So, I was pretty sure I could remedy the situation quickly.  However, we’ve been doing a lot of traveling with Newfs in the past couple of months.  My stores were empty except for the box of small Milkbones, but that took care of the issue.

Now I can write my story!  Oh, yeah, I had better use that laptop for it’s intended purposes too.  <g>

Posted in A Little Humor, Communications - a two-way art, Diet & Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TELEPATHY & OBSERVATION

Posted on December 2, 2011 by BigFootClub

Written Jan. 2, 2009

Human language has its benefits and detriments.  On one hand, it is more sophisticated and can convey information that cannot be conveyed through body language.  On the other hand, it can leave open to misinterpretation what the communicator intends to convey.  Communication with a human often takes great patience on the part of a Newfoundland.  The signal is sent by the Newf, but the human fails to respond.  Clearly, in the eyes of our Newfoundlands, we are not the smartest creatures on the planet.  What we perceive as a subtle, almost indistinguishable change, they perceive with complete clarity.

Jade is a quick learner.  Using treats at this point only led to errors in results, but she is attentive and learns very well with praise.  She has been very “tuned-in,” and she even watches my reaction at times to discern which choice to make.  I try to oblige and encourage her attentiveness, and consider us fortunate.  When I used treats to reward her for going outside when she needed to, it took only two times for her to figure out that going outside meant getting a cookie and had nothing to do with why she was outside.  (And yes, the timing of the marker sound was good.  Treats worked well for this for Parker, but will serve their purpose better at a later point for Jade.)

Jade arrived here as a quiet girl, but Parker taught her from the beginning about vocalizations.  This is a specialty of Parker’s.  Now we have another baby wuki.  Perhaps she was only being quiet initially because of new surroundings, or maybe she learned this from Parker.  I have watched her observe him and mimic, and suspect the latter.  She learned how to make those unusual sounds that Parker enjoys, and she learned how to have a bark conversation and a bark argument.  She learned to bark when she wanted to go outside, or when she wanted anything.  Once again, language was impairing communication.  <g>

Then one night, I caught her trying to telepath the back door.  That was a clear communication.  She wanted it to open.  Good!  I took her outside quickly.  This was working pretty well, but you had to observe closely to make sure that her effort was reinforced.  Then I remembered something that Banker had taught me and jingled the flat chimes that hang over the back door knob.  Ever since then, over 10 years ago, the chimes have stayed on the back door knob.  Once maturity arrives, the chimes are no longer used.  The sound is noticeable but friendly and interesting.  Being a human with lapses in memory, I failed to do this the next couple of times, but remembered again in another day or two.  She has picked up on this and used the chimes twice now.  I hope it sticks – nice to have an audible communication when you are a human.

Since I learned well when she telepathed the back door, she has applied this technique to the “cookie pantry.”  She must think I’m getting better at this by now.  <g>

She has also learned that humans require a lot of patience.  I recognize this when I hear a certain sigh.  I hear that sigh from Parker when I have misplaced something again, or when he wants a cookie or wants to go outside, and I start his direction, but tell him “Just a minute – I need to do xxx first,” then start his direction again and think of one more thing . . .  Jade has learned that sigh, too.  Humans require a lot of patience from a good Newfoundland.

Whenever you bring a new puppy or adult into your home, the process of learning how to communicate begins.  Our communication methods will be in the process of refinement for a long time, part of the joy of the adventure, and each new relationship, of any kind, is a new adventure.  This adventure promises to be fun too.

Posted in Communications - a two-way art, Lessons Learned, Puppyhood, Training | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EVERY 7 DAYS

Posted on December 2, 2011 by BigFootClub

Written 7/9/10 with the title of 7-Day Schedules

Parker is a lot like his dad in this respect, and well, in a lot of ways.  I haven’t quite figured out how a Newf can keep track of a 7-day schedule when I can’t!

It has been another busy week, more from mental traffic than other demands, with objectives to complete and timelines approaching.  So, I was up late on Wed. to finish some work for an early call the next day.  Not as much sleep as I would like.  Then last night, the little girl dog decided at about 10:30 p.m. that we needed to party.  Geesh!  And I was hoping to be in bed early.  Greg had his time conflicts, and missed the Fedex timeline for Joplin, so he had to take his package to Springfield for shipment.  He got back close to when I wanted to go to bed, tired too.  We finally had to put a baby gate between Parker and Jade, because as soon as you got them to settle down and be quiet, and once again reminded Jade that it was time for all good puppies and peoples to go to bed, she would begin wiggling and stretching, working toward and working on Parker to get a party started.  (Girl talk, argument & sass, The Paw, “I’ll get you” with her neck arched and her mouth like a dragon, that sort of tactic)  And, of course, like Banker, Parker has a weak spot for play enticement.   It had been a long short week with the 4th of July falling on a Monday, and yesterday felt like Wednesday to me, but to a couple of Newfs whose exercise had been neglected for a few days, well, you may know what that penalty is like for a human!

When I finally woke up this morning (late), it didn’t seem like Friday.  I noticed that Parker was unusually happy and glowing.  I love it when he feels like that.  It is contagious and lifts your spirits.  He even shows it in his gait.  It’s like the world is full of joy, and with each step, butterflies are released and flowers sway and colors abound.  I love that about him, and loved that about his dad.

It took me quite a bit longer to realize that it was Friday.  (with pre-celebration beginning on Thursday evenings)  Maybe Jade is catching on too.

So, Happy Friday!  (pass it on)

Shouldn’t Fridays be declared a National or International Holiday?

Posted in CELEBRATIONS! | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PART OF THE PARTY

Posted on November 17, 2011 by BigFootClub

Do you have a Veteran who loved being part of the action?  I need to share this story, on behalf of our old ones.

I took Parker to the regional specialty, as planned.  I gave him his bath the day ahead, spent less time grooming him to be sure that I didn’t overtax him, packed and loaded the trailer on Friday, gave Jade her bath, and by the time I left, there was no way that I could make it in time for Veterans class.  Life gets in the way of fun sometimes, and commitments have to be met.  Otherwise I would have left a day earlier.

It’s not easy to show multiple dogs, and you have to cut corners on time when necessary to manage your schedule.  That’s understandable.  But Parker is making it clear that some priorities need to be negotiated.  My Newfs have taught me the importance of negotiation and listening, over the years, and I find that their communication skills are very good.  It’s not that they can always get the outcome they desire from a negotiation, but if you don’t try to understand, you won’t learn the potential benefit.

When we had left the previous regional, Parker had been deflated as he saw that we were leaving without him being a part of the activity.  He goes with me everywhere I go that I can take dogs, but since un-entered dogs aren’t allowed inside, he didn’t get to be in on the activities and in the company of other Newfs.  Someone suggested that I enter him in Veterans for the next show.  He has a limp, and at this time he has a big bald spot on his rear, but I entered him for the joy it would give him to participate.  One thing is abundantly clear about Newfs:  joy is contagious, and it is easily shared.

When we arrived at the show site, I found a friend and asked her to hold Parker at ringside while I showed Jade, so he could still be in the activity.  He enjoyed visiting with people and watching the Newfs in the ring.  I know he would have enjoyed being in the ring, and hope to get another chance in the near future.  He also got to visit outside the ring the next day, and as usual he fully enjoyed being outside at the trailer while we were grooming and other dogs and people were walking past.  Parker grew up with a Landseer as well as other blacks, so when he saw a Border Collie passing by, he became very excited.  For Parker, dog shows are a social sport.  Newfs recognize other Newfs and tend to be happy to be among their own kind.

We arrived home at around 4 p.m., and Jade bounded out to find her kitties.  Parker wouldn’t budge.  He stayed in the van, staging a peaceful protest.  I started unloading the trailer, thinking he would decide on his own to come in when he was ready.  Jade saw what he was doing and joined the protest.  The two of them laid side-by-side on the van floor, facing outward with the two side doors open, while I finished unloading the trailer and the van, started laundry, opened a gate for Greg to move hay, and went inside to start dinner.  It was after dark, so I went back out with leashes and brought Parker out of the van, unwilling in spirit still but not with further protest.  He didn’t want the party to be over, and today he still has the Party’s Over Blues.

When I took Jade to conformation classes, I would take Parker in for part of that time, just because he enjoyed it so much.  When I quit going, I didn’t need the reminder on my schedule that pops up on Tuesdays saying that it was time to leave for class.  Something similar happened with my pony when he was in his 30s.  My nephew brought his kids over, ages 6 and 1, and a highlight of visiting was to let the kids ride Midnight (a family legend).  Midnight loved doing things together and accepted all challenges with enthusiasm.  I sat the 6-year-old on him and put Midnight on a lunge line.  It surprised me how much he perked up and showed with joy how well he could do what I asked.  He had missed the opportunity to perform and the participation more than I had realized, and the simple act of performing on a lunge line did wonders for him.  It’s too easy to lose awareness of this as they age.

I will do something today to cheer up the Newfs, but the fully underscored point that I wanted to share was this:  Find something to do with your old ones to keeps them involved.  As with all senior citizens, social activity and family are very important for joy and well-being in life.

I’m not posting this story to make anyone feel badly, but to help increase awareness so you may do more with your seniors and can share the joy.  For those whose Newfs loved showing, honor them while they’re still here by putting them in a Veterans class.  I sometimes wish there were a senior class that gave the same ribbon to all entrants, like some kids programs.

There are a lot of things that seniors can do.  They may enjoy visiting the bell-ringers at Christmas, or simply taking a short walk with their beloved human or as a group with other Newfs or other dogs.  Newfs seem to especially enjoy getting to be around other Newfs when that is possible.  Parker still likes to play Stick, just the two of us, in the yard – no more high-tilt racing after the stick, doing backflips to get it before it “disappears”, but finding it amid the leaves and grass and proudly carrying the prize.  In heart and spirit, they aren’t as old as you may think.

Posted in CELEBRATIONS!, Communications - a two-way art, Seniors, Travel & Camping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments