When Daddy's Away, The Doodle Will Play

[Heather & Brinkley]

As I've mentioned many times before, my husband is away at med school for two years.  Well, Brinkley is pushing his limits with me now that Daddy is gone. Let me recap two very eventful days that I had last week:

 

1)    7:30 am:  I ironed my work clothes, and laid them out.  I proceeded to get ready and then at 8am I went to get dressed and my clothes had disappeared-- but at that point I didn't realize they had disappeared.  Instead, I thought I was losing my mind and that I hadn't really laid them out.  I searched for an hour.  Finally, I got so frustrated and figured I had to leave as I was already very behind, so I put on a dress that I hated and headed out the door.  As I got Brinkley, my Goldendoodle settled in the back seat so I could take him to daycare, I looked out my windshield, only to see a pink cloth sticking out of a muddy hole (it had been raining the night before.)  I got out and walked through the wet yard only to find my missing clothes... buried in a muddy hole.  Brinkley had stolen my clothes and buried them.

 

But wait, there’s more:

2)  There is a historical home in our neighborhood that was the office when houses were being built.  Everyone uses this as an unofficial dog park of sorts, where we meet to let our dogs play.  The fence to this house is surrounded by a large field.  This particular day, there was a guy practicing his golf swing. Brinkley kept eyeing him as he swung his club.  Brinkley jumped up once to look at him and I told him to get off right away.  Then moments later, Brinkley looks at me... then looks at the ball... them back at me... and then from a sitting position clears the fence by at least a foot.  Not even a running start.  Then he tears over to the flying golf ball, and catches it mid-air and then takes off with the stolen goods tucked away in his mouth.  He finally listened and came back but it was a chore to get him to listen. 

 

And there is even more...

3)  The next day, I picked up Brinkley from daycare and took him to a friend's home who really wanted to meet him. I always make Brinkley sit as I'm putting his leash on in the car.  I bent over to pick up his leash from the floor board of my SUV, still blocking him and he was sitting, when all of a sudden, he took a flying leap over my back and took off.  We were in the city of all places on a very busy street.  First, he ran to the 7-11.  He almost got in, but the door shut one second too soon (I guess he wanted a hot dog or a slurppe.)  Then, he ran into the street right in front of a 4-runner. The 4-runner screeches to a halt, almost hitting him.  I was calling him and trying to remain calm and not chase him but he totally ignored me.  Then he took off and ran FIVE BLOCKS down the city street, cars barely missing him multiple times.  I ran after him, in a suit and heels.  A nice stranger saw Brinkley running down the street and me running after him, so he threw his car in park in the in the middle of the street, and yelled "Your dog isn't dying on my watch." We finally managed to trap him on a porch with a railing-- only after he went on porch #1 without a railing and he flew over a 5 foot hedge and continued on his adventure.  I was so scared.  I had nightmares the entire night-- the 4-runner screeching to halt replayed in my head over and over and over again.  I kept thinking to myself, “I’m going to have to call my husband and tell him that our Doodle is dead! It’s amazing what you have time to think about- time seemed like it was in slow motion.

 

So, as you can see, Brinkley is pushing his limit now that my husband isnt' around. He obviously doesn’t see me as the Alpha or “the pack leader.”  He listens 95% of the time but that other 5% he will totally ignore me when he sees something he wants (ball, stick or furry animal).  Brinkley and I have just signed up for intermediate training classes beginning April 11^th.  It’s time to get this in check before he kills himself.  

[Moe]

Hilarious that you thought you didn't put your clothes out!!!! I would think the exact same thing. I can also relate to having to wear something you hate. Way to start out a bad day. Sorry you are having doodle problems but your post brightened my day. I can totally relate.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

how horrible. Cooper too is deciding not to listen anymore, i think i may have to take her to classes and get her in check! we have never been to obedience classes and i think it will train me!

[F, Calla & Luca]

That running in the street scene is too scary for words. Yes Brinkley needs some talking to. I only have a sedan but I keep leashes up front and make sure the entire doorway is blocked by me before I put leashes on. The doodles have never attempted to escape from the car but some places are too busy and scare me! The rest of it, no fun either.

[Heather & Brinkley]

He had NEVER done ths ever. In fact, it got to the point where he would sit automatically and wait for me to attach his leash. He had a day of lapses in judgement. Ugh!!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

The first incident was hilarious (did the mud wash out at least) and I have to admit #2 pretty funny as well (how about the golfer did he think is was a hoot too?). #3 put my heart into high gear...I am so happy you got Brinkley back, so so hard to remain calm.

DH is the Alpha at our house but I am 2nd in command and she will listen to me but not as readily if DH is there also.

[Heather & Brinkley]

The mud did come out. It was silk shirt!!
The golfer kind of laughed but the slobber covered ball ended his practice for the day. He left after I recovered he goods.

[Adina P]

Super frustrating!  Alpha or not sometimes if the main trainer or holder-of-accountability isn't there, a dog won't necessarily listen.  With the training method I follow, there is only ONE trainer for the whole training period.  One trainer, one set of consistency, one set of hard work.  Once that is done there is a protocol for transferring the training to other members of the household (involving essentially doing an abbreviated version of the same work the initial trainer did).  It kind of goes counter to the going philosophy that everyone be involved in the training from day one but actually works much better because the dog learns WELL the first time and by the time household member #2 does the training the dog already knows what to do but is simply being reinforced with the second trainer.  But it's nearly equal amount of work so both parties (or more parties) really can develop the same trust/bond/working relationship.  I've honestly never done it because I can't seem to ever finish my dogs...only get them part way through off leash training before life gets too busy.  Nevertheless, for many reasons I trust the idea very much. 

My point is KUDOS for taking your dog to training yourself and getting that same working relationship going.  It's not about Alpha but about good training.  I'm HARDLY an Alpha personality, but by doing my best to follow a set GOOD training plan I do pretty well.  And I tend to get better results each time (i.e. with each new dog I work).

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yeah, I was the main one at training but he still alway listened to Brandon better. Like I said, the first round of training was not a good one. No trust building...more militant. This next round and trainer are much better!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Holy Doodle! I would say Brinkley has a serious case of Doodle Spring Fever!! I'm so glad his adventures had a happy ending!  And I liked the part about the kind stranger! Very sweet!  :) Sounds like it's time for a new pack leader and I think the classes are a good place to start! Good luck!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Brinkley, dood, it's cats that have nine lives, not doodles or doodlemoms, don't scare your Mom that way. The first two adventures were kind of funny but that last one would be heart stopping. I am glad it turned out well and I think that going back to training is a really good idea.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

OMD!  This is hilarious, but horrifying at the same time.  Yes, obedience classes will be good.  Until this is under control, just keep an extra eye out for him so he doesn't kill himself.  Seriously, all of these adventures sound like scenes from a funny movie.  Only, It's not so funny when it's real life and your dog is at risk.  Good luck! 

[Heather & Brinkley]

It has me laughing as well...NOW!!!