Is our Peri "out of control"???

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My mom has always thought Peri is a little difficult and has no problems telling me that. Well today, I had just had enough and finally told her to stop saying anything if she can't say anything nice. Here is what happened.

Last night, my sis came over for our weekly Lost party. Wine was on the coffee table. Peri saw a piece of a toy that I had taken from her (the end of a squineez thingy). She wanted it. Wine came crashing...breaking....big mess. Whatever...she knew she made a mistake and ran to her crate for a little timeout.

Anyway, mom said to me "Kristin told me about Peri last night. I hope you punished her. I mean, she is out of control. I would have thought she would be calmer now that she is almost 1 year old"...blah blah. It went on and on. I had to explain to her that aside from chewing up DOG toys and being a little high energy, she is a totally normal puppy! And these breeds are puppyish until about 2 years old! I almost started crying because it offended me so much. I even got the "I know YOU love her, but..." comment from her.

So, DK friends. You be the judge. HONESTLY, this is what my mom sees Peri do when we come over for Sunday "Family Days" (as my parent's request - they tell us to bring the dogs):

1. Peri chews on grass.

2. Peri has chewed on my moms plants.

3. Peri tracks in dirt.

4. Peri chews on Lucy's (cairn terrier) toys.

5. Peri likes to run around outside and chase Lucy.

6. Peri will sometimes not come inside if you are holding a towel to wipe off her feet.

Well, that's it folks. Would any of you call that OUT OF CONTROL? The worst Peri has done is knocked that glass of wine over, pooed at her boyfriend Astro dood's house, barked at other dogs when she wants to play (that does get annoying) and chewed up the occasional plush toy (cannot qualify as bad since that is a DOG toy).

I should tell my mom that Lucy wasn't that "out of control" as a pup because she isn't as smart as a doodle and doodles just need something to occupy their mind at all times. They are like the mensa society of dogs. Guess I shouldn't act like a 1st grader.

Thx for listening to me rant. I just think the world of Peri and would never call her out of control.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Ok can I just tell you this made me laugh so hard? So I am not the only one with a "difficult" mother towards my precious doodle? My mom always looks at Hunter like she is some mange filled, spastic, galute that is going to mull her! She said to me yesterday "I don't know what you want with a dog that big that sheds, you should just get rid of her" - OMG! Really? How about you just leave mom! Which is what I told her and of course I got a dirty look. Ok, this is terrible BUT can I tell you that when Hunter tried to jump on her after that yesterday I didn't tell her down I let her jump on her! LOL

[shelly]

Allyson ~ You forgot one last thing on your list.... #7 - Peri is a very smart PUPPY. I feel for you.. My family always thinks they can say whatever they want when it comes to Tori too. When we get together for family birthdays/holidays (at MY house - no one ever says to bring Tori). She barks, gets a bit hyper - when the kids are all running around, and tries to herd my nephew. But they are in MY house - it is MY dog and I would NEVER say anything about THEIR dog (even though they smell and aren't very lovable - lol) Okay so I too just sounded like the 2nd graders I teach. I always hear how great stories about Peri... You just try and ignore those comments, but I know it hurts when it's family... Hey ~ Tori would have grabbed that towel and went tearing through the house! Breaking more than a bottle or glass of wine! (and she's 2!)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree Christine! I wish Ellie and Peri could meet up in their more "adult" life. They would be 2 peas in a pod. I think they are more alike than all the other siblings =)

[Christine + Ellie]

Hi Allyson! I wouldn't worry about Peri... Ellie is a high-energy dog. She might even be worse than Peri from what you said. She's a HUGE barker... and that doesn't go well in an apartment in NYC :) Needless to say I think it's their puppy phase. I know Ellie and Peri are sisters, but I see (hear) so many similar stories. Ellie loved dirt and plants so she'd dig (a lot!) when she was in CA at my parent's house. I think we're going to miss these days when they're older and just "hanging out".

[Michele Barton]

Oh my goodness, compared to Gus and Molly's antics, Peri is a saint! WE LOVE YOU, PERI! It sounds like your mom just doesn't suffer from ODD like we do! Gus and Molly say thank you for the birthday wishes!!!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You are all VERY right!!!! Thanks again =)

[Ann Kendig]

Do you know a friend or someone that has a dog that totally misbehaves? Maybe you should borrow it for Family Day, explaining that you are dog sitting for the day, and take it to your Mom's and turn it loose!!! After a few hours of that maybe she'll appreciate Peri! If she still complains about Peri after spending the day with "Cujo" then there is probably no hope and she will always complain. If I lived closer you could borrow Duke. Did your family have dogs when you were living at home?? Has your mom ever lived with a dog?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have to agree with everyone--I was at my nephew's house recently and he had three little chihuahas that would take your hand off--now that is out of control. He and his wife babied them like crazy but I saw the dogs snap at them too. But I didn't say anything! It is not my business! I DO remember my mom criticizing everything (she has been gone almost 9 years now) and it was so hurtful and my dad is still criticizing (he is 90)!!! You never can get a thick enough skin! So, I try to be very careful around my own daughters and be aware of how much the criticism hurts. One daughter has spent tons of money she doesn't have on a beloved old rag of a cat she adopted that has diabetes....but, not my business!

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I think that your mom must be jealous of Peri and this is her way of dealing with it. Peri is a WONDERFUL dog and is still a puppy. I thought that she seemed relaxed and well behaved when we got together. Your mom just wishes she had a dog as cute and perfect as Peri. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You know, sometimes Moms just don't "get it". Let me start by agreeing with everyone that Peri is absolutely not "out of control". She is a Doodle puppy who is fun and playful and very exuberant. She's loving her puppy life...as she should. She can be calm and sedate when she gets older, but now it's time for her to just have Doodle fun. We get puppies because we love this phase. As for Mom...I remember when my Mom got to a certain age that she had a really difficult time just enjoying life and all the wonderful, but "non perfect" things. She kind of forgot how to have fun, and she started worrying about everything. In retrospect I think it was all part of the aging process. She often said things about the kids or grandkids that upset me. During the "terrible twos" I remember her remarking that one of my grandsons was "wild". He wasn't - he was just two. She hated that I worked and had to travel. She often tried to lay "guilt trips" on me, and often times it really bothered me and hurt my feelings. But she loved me, and she just couldn't help it. Now she's gone, and I'd be happy if she called even to criticize something that I did, or my DH, or even the kids. So, it's just part of the whole Mother/Daughter relationship. These things do hurt, but they are really not intended to. So enjoy your Peri just the way she is, and understand your Mom is just "being a Mom".