HI Carol,

Carol Shenkenberger wrote in a message to Richard Webb:

oN fetch and other games you wrote:
CS> I'll find something eventually, but so far he likes to eat, sleep,
CS> slobber on Daisy, and go walking.  Practically in that order!  Not
CS> sure if he likes walking more than slobbering on Daisy.

YOu'll find something that strikes him.  My Dane mix Buddy back in the
'80's wouldn't fetch.  HE might fetch the ball or frisbee first couple
times you threw it, then he'd just stand there and look at you as if to say
"If you wanted it why did you throw it stupid?"

CS> Well, just took Cash for a spin about the neighborhood.  He's still
CS> pulling but get this, minute Charlotte got his leash?  He looked
CS> back and while he pulled, he was careful to pull only at her level
CS> .  This tells me it's less a matter of training now, and more one
CS> of playful obstinance.  Before, it was pure training.

Yep, he's wanting to play.  THere again, a little calm assertive on her
part will nix that. I made a mistake in Schatze's early times with us, and
after we were evacuated from our home after Kathy's hospital stay and storm
damage to motels I'd let her go out on leash before she as sitting calmly
at door because such trips for were for bladder and bowel relief. NOw we're
having to work on that be calm and sit quietly while dad prepares to walk
out the door.

 > I'm having to modify that some as I'm training her to work in harness as gui
 > for me when required.  MOstly I prefer the cane, but every now and then it's
 > handy. ESpecially when we must travel with our audio production truck, I wan
 > dog to guard it.  IN case we can't stay at motel six which is dog friendly I
 > get less arguments if she behaves properly as dog guide when in the traditio
 > harness.

CS> ;-)  Works for me!  If she can also be the other sort of service dog
CS> i've heard of, that with a harness helps pull a wheelchair, you are
CS> golden . 

 THat would be handy.  WE're teaching her to retrieve objects Kathy drops
now though, and that's a boon to her.
 ESpecially if she doesn't have one of her grab-it sticks with the pinchers handy.

 .

  > CS> he's totally turning out fast to be a 'mommy dog'.  For example, Don
 > CS> cant get a new training into Cash's head but once I do it, he does
 > CS> it better for Don .

 > DIfference in your attitudes.  Don probably doesn't stay calm assertive with
 > him as well.  Though DOn is nominal pack leader in his eyes if DOn grows
 > impatient or loses that calm assertive demeanor then he'll become hard heade

CS> I've seen that.

WAs just an educated guess on my part .

 > DOn't know what Don does but I gather your training is as a Navy officer.
 > You're used to projecting "calm assertive."
 

CS> Navy Senior Chief actually, but same thing on this.  NECOS yes. I
CS> hadnt added it that way but I'm alot more used to controlling large
CS> numbers of junior sailors than Don was.  Some things just get
CS> 'automatic'.  I think I'm treating Cash a bit like a slightly
CS> inebriated but favored sailor. 

Yep, but you let him know that you're the boss .

 > CS> I am so lucky with Cash and the babygates!
 > 
 > HE'll discover it by accident and bump one aside, then ...


CS> Nope, he can see it open enough for Daisy and wont mess with it.  We
CS> only use   it on 'her room' when she's eating so his whines for her
CS> dinner do not disrupt her.

yOu're lucky then.  BUddy would have used that.  Buddy was aggressive about
the escape artist and wouldn't be denied an area though.  roxy our rottie
that survived the hurricane was a bit more malleable.  schatze is a very
alpha female however.


 > Schatze is accustomed now to her bed at the foot of our bed. IF I do the
 > insomniac thing and get up to play on the radio or something though she'll e
 > up in my place on the bed and we'll have to have a little discussion about t
 > when I come back to bed.  She's used to bedroom being den.

CS> Cash likes to use the bed with us in the afternoon (or my late
CS> morning still abed).  But when Don starts snoring he jumps down to
CS> the floor so the bed makes a sound baffle.

Schatze snores as much as we do.  SOmetimes at night I get stereo snores if
I"m awake and they're both asleep.  IT's common with Rotties says my
vet, and I believe it.  Roxy was a snorer as well.


 > MOre in another message, but your Sheraton waterside hotel there in Va. beac
 > is very dog friendly.
 > Bell hops were always glad to see her when out for walks.  THey've a nice
 > grassy area on one end of the building for doggie relief.

CS> I've been posting the various hotels for the cooking group and noted
CS> right away which were pet friendly.  Yes, the Sheraton here is
CS> supposed to be quite a place!  I think I've eaten there too at fancy
CS> gatherings.

Yep, only thing was disappointing to me was I had a beautiful balcony on
5th floor overlooking the water and couldn't go out on it.  eSpecially
since I'm one of those evil smokers and the hotel's a no-smoking zone. 
Roxy and I took a lot of walks .

IN fact, on one walk I was stowing a bunch of props we used for that video
shoot back in the van, had them in a backpack. roxy and i went for her
relkief walk then I headed for the van in the parking lot.  Young fellow
nearby asked me to borrow a ratchet wrench and appropriate sized socket to
effect emergency repair on his pickup truck. hE swore he worked at the
hotel.  I made him go up to the bellhop stand with me and talk to
valets/bellhops.  IF recognized by more than one I"d loan him the
tools. ROxy and I stood there watching him while he made the quick repair
he needed, made sure I got my tool back .

Regards,
           Richard
--- timEd 1.10.y2k+