Dog RE-training...

Well, my cockapoo Chopper is 4 years old and probably the best dog I could ever have. I have to admit I've kinda spoiled him...lol...and he's been sleeping in my bed for about 3 years now. In my defense, he's such an awesome and lovable dog that its hard not to spoil him. In fact, I've enjoyed loving him as much as possible ever since I laid eyes on him.

Anyway, my dear husband is ready for us to have our bed back and I promised him I would try to get Chopper out of our bed and into his own.

I bought a new bed for Chopper this week. Its so plush and comfy but it became clear

really quickly that the comfort of the bed was NOT gonna be enough to win him over.

Night #1 was a nightmare for Chopper & I. I spent half the night waking up to direct him back into his new bed. He would snuggle up and sleep there for short periods of time and then jump right back into bed with me. Sigh... He did not understand why he couldn't go "nite-nite" with me like he has for years now. I didn't get much sleep but I know we'll have to be consistent for this to work.

Night #2...I wasn't willing to fight the good fight. I was exhausted from night #1 and working all day and couldn't do it again the very next night. I put him in his bed and rewarded him with a treat for staying there but sometime during the night, he made his way into bed with me and that was fine with my unconscious, exhausted mind and body.

I'm not sure how tonight will go but I'll give it the old college try again and keep it up until he willingly goes to his bed on his own. It'll be a kind of long process for me because I don't want to force it and I don't want to rush him. He's smart and he's a happy dog....he'll get there.

Animal Cruelty

I've been tuning into Michael Vick's "documentary" on BET and trying to decide how I feel about it and whether or not I believe he's sincere about regretting how he tortured and murdered dogs.

I believe he regrets what he did because it landed him in prison but I wonder if he really feels bad for the animals that suffered and died.

I'm a total softee when it comes to animals...especially since I got my dog Chopper 4 years ago. He has changed how I view animals. In years past, I never wanted to own a dog..though I had a few in my family growing up. I never paid much attention to them except to play with them off and on and feed them...if I was told to do so by my parent(s). Chopper, however, has changed my world. I think actually owning a small dog and taking care of him from the age of 5 weeks caused my maternal instincts to take over.

I never knew how smart, sensitive, and loving dogs were. Unfortunately, like a lot of people, I felt they were "just" dogs. Having Chopper has made me realize that they are more like us than we realize. They get lonely, they get sick, they express sadness and happiness. The biggest thing I've learned is how social they are. They travel in packs and when they are removed from their environment (their mother and their litter of siblings), they still long for companionship. And once we take ownership of them, we are obligated to provide that companionship.

It frustrates and angers me to see owners who leave dogs completely alone all the time. They believe that putting food and water out is all they are obligated to do. My question is, "what is the purpose in owning your pet if you don't show them love and attention?" I just don't get it. And then when their dogs run away...they are shocked and surprisingly saddened. Why are you saddened by the loss of a pet that you completely ignored and never even walked?

One thing I know for sure is that Chopper will never run away. This is one happy dog and it makes me happy to know that he is getting all the love and care he deserves. He didn't choose me...I chose him so I owe it to him to do my best.