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.  

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

OK the clothes in the mud had me laughing hard, the stealing the golf ball was probably humorous as well, but how scary when he was on the run. Thank goodness that man helped you. He should have a talk with daddy and daddy should ground him! He's an active doodle! Thanks for sharing!

[Heather & Brinkley]

I guess he thought I'd stay home if he stole my clothes!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is perfect material for a Doodle "sit com".  I'm sure you thought you must be losing it when you couldn't find your clothes....and that golf ball incident must have been hysterical.  The incident with Brinkley in the street must have been terrifying. I'm so glad that at least you had help and were able to get him back before he was hurt.  When we first started with our trainer, the very first "lesson" was in the car.  We taught both dogs that they do not EVER leave the car unless we give them the okay.  As "naughty" as Murphy can be, that is one lesson he really learned.  As for Brinkley not seeing you as the "pack leader"....that's how it is with my DH.  He goes with me to every training session, but neither of our dogs takes  him seriously.  I think some of it is because he doesn't consistently follow through, so they are willing to "take a chance" with him if there's something more fun than what he's asked them to do.  With me they know there is no option, and that I'll track them right down and make them do it.  I don't see it as being an "alpha" as much as not allowing them to "blow off" a command.  Anyway, I think it's awesome that you've signed up for training classes, and I'm betting that will make a big difference.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Maybe you'd want to join the Training Group?

[BG and Gavin]

Remember that show "Please Don't Eat the Daisies?" with the Old English Sheepdog?

[BG and Gavin]

My heart is racing over the street chase.  Glad that your training session is starting.  This should help.  Hide and seek games were the best for me when learning recall.  I would regularly duck out of sight when Gav was off leash (in a safe area) by hiding behind a tree or whatnot.  Also hide and seek in the house with treats when he finds me.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh Brinkley! So glad he and you are fine after all these adventures! Glad you found a good class to join! Brinkley is adorable! : )

[Sequoia & Dudley]

I nominate Brinkley for Stinkerdoodle of the Year. Gosh, he's lucky to be alive! What is it about doodles that they are simultaneously so comical and so challenging at the same time?  I guess he's just acting out now that Daddy's gone.

[Heather & Brinkley]

I often say that he does things that you couldn't create for a sitcom script, even if you tried.  How can they be SO sweet one moment and the next minute so naughty!!  I am so glad he's alive.

[Jennifer]

Okay, the first 2 made me LOL but the 3rd one is scary. I can imagine your panic and fear. I'm glad it had a happy ending. I am eager to here what other adventures Brinkley has in store for you. I still can't get over him burying your clothes in the backyard. Hilarious... for me. :-) :-)