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| Happy Christmas, Pringlepaws! |
XL had us over, together with TK and her toy poodle (Knuckles). Guess it was a good chance for us to catch up, and for XL (Mrs. Tan) and her Mister (Mr. Tan) to experience having a dog at home, and to just get a feel of whether a dog would fit in their lifestyles!
More specifically, Mr. and Mrs. Tan have a collection of about a hundred (??!!!) toy robots (Mecha?) and half-naked schoolgirls sitting around the house, either poised for battle, or tantalizingly positioned to titillate The Old, The Lonely, and the Forever Alone. So yes, it would be pretty disastrous to have a dog ingest a silicone boob or a spikey robot head. Would post a photo here, but it's a private art collection. ;)
While Pringles expressed little interest in cartoon heads for dessert, I must say that it wouldn't be a good idea to leave him at home with the Japanese schoolgirls and their mecha boyfriends. If you've got such tiny bits lying within easy reach of your dog, it's better to restrict doggy's access to it when you aren't home :)
While Pringles expressed little interest in cartoon heads for dessert, I must say that it wouldn't be a good idea to leave him at home with the Japanese schoolgirls and their mecha boyfriends. If you've got such tiny bits lying within easy reach of your dog, it's better to restrict doggy's access to it when you aren't home :)
Amazingly, Pringles was such a little gentleman, strategically positioning himself in the middle of their home (as if to say "I belong here now"), did not shed (despite making the floor at home look like a hair salon), and kept smiling (he's usually SUCH A GROUCH AT HOME). Ooh, and he didn't chew on toys or cross boundaries.
Of course the Tans fell in love with him, and are now contemplating seeking a similar furry friend to elevate their lives.
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| Pringles: This is home now. |
Anyhow, before Knuckie and his entourage arrived, we tried doing a boundary exercise of sorts. XL rolled open the great sliding doors separating the bedroom from the living area, revealing The Mother of All Mirrors - I swear, it was like 8 panels long. Floor to ceiling. Any girl would be proud. Pringles though, found his first experience with a mirror most interesting, and all but tried to scramble to make friends with his reflection. Yes. Tried.
Trainer Chen (Pringles' Owner/Manfriend/Alpha) would say "NO", and pushed him away at the muzzle with a vehement "SH" sound every time he tried to cross the line. Worked pretty well! We managed a room tour quite easily with the bewildered Golden Boy looking at his sympathizing reflection. Trainer Chen uses this technique everytime he wants Pringles to stop something. Very much like Cesar Millan. And interestingly, it works pretty well. Of course, constant reinforcement is important, as is being in a "calm, assertive state".
On Calm, Assertive States
If you're facing the same issue at home, perhaps it would be wise to consider if you're really feeling calm and assertive. Dogs, after all, are masters at reading nuanced body language (they communicate using it, after all), and will be able to see through your false sense of security immediately. I used to have the same issue with Pringlepaws. In fact, I still do. Sometimes, when I correct him half-heartedly, it just doesn't work, and simply undermines my dominant position. Takes some cognitive realignment of my mind to get him to listen.... and i guess in the long run.. makes me more assertive. 20 years from now, I will cross my dominatrix-heeled legs, reminisce about my time with Pringles, nod sagely, and say "Yes, this was the dog who got me started."
Trainer Chen (Pringles' Owner/Manfriend/Alpha) would say "NO", and pushed him away at the muzzle with a vehement "SH" sound every time he tried to cross the line. Worked pretty well! We managed a room tour quite easily with the bewildered Golden Boy looking at his sympathizing reflection. Trainer Chen uses this technique everytime he wants Pringles to stop something. Very much like Cesar Millan. And interestingly, it works pretty well. Of course, constant reinforcement is important, as is being in a "calm, assertive state".
On Calm, Assertive States
If you're facing the same issue at home, perhaps it would be wise to consider if you're really feeling calm and assertive. Dogs, after all, are masters at reading nuanced body language (they communicate using it, after all), and will be able to see through your false sense of security immediately. I used to have the same issue with Pringlepaws. In fact, I still do. Sometimes, when I correct him half-heartedly, it just doesn't work, and simply undermines my dominant position. Takes some cognitive realignment of my mind to get him to listen.... and i guess in the long run.. makes me more assertive. 20 years from now, I will cross my dominatrix-heeled legs, reminisce about my time with Pringles, nod sagely, and say "Yes, this was the dog who got me started."
Okay kidding.
Things got a little challenging though, when Knuckles arrived.
Knuckles is TK's red toy poodle, and by her own description, a little Prince accustomed to reigning over the household. He didn't really like the idea of Pringles, and of course he sprinted into the bedroom, and of course Pringles followed because every dog loves someone who plays hard to get.. At which point, we just rolled the great doors shut.. and then started taking photos with the adorable little fur ball (he weighs just 5kg that little cutie pie!), and watching Trainer Chen attempt to dominate him into not entering the room.
Wasn't so easy though! Poodles are generally smarter than goldies. Heck they're smarter than two year olds, which just means that they could do with a little bit more training... and can be a little more thoughtful. Meaning we told Knuckles not to go into the room, but he would constantly try to get in. .... ..... that little boundary tester.
Anyhow, it was a great catch up for XL, TK and I! Its been 7 great years of friendship, and even though we're all in such different jobs/lives/ situations now, we still remain about as tight as peas in a pod. Well.. almost. And while some of our long married counterparts swaddle babies and discuss nappie rash, here we are, raising fur children....we are ..one of many female abominations of society. With willing wombs but unwilling hearts hahahahaha (well except for XL).
Till next Christmas! I cannot wait to go back to the lovely Tan home :) Mr. Tan's an architect by training, and he has fully reimagined his 4-room (or 3-room?), and converted it into a spacious little walk-up in a mature suburb in Singapore.
