Bored Doodles...what do they REALLY look like?

[Adina P]

Every now and then I read about others getting the impression that their doodles are bored because they are lying around, doing nothing, looking 'sad', or something akin to that.  To me a dog laying around, relaxing is a dog that is perfectly content. 

 

Bored to me looks like Boca the second we sit down on the couch and if she were to instruct another dog to mimic her the instructions would look like this (substitute your brother/sister for "Rosco"):

1.  Poke Mom and Dad a few times asking for petting.

2.  When petting ceases poke them again, especially if laptops are on their laps.

3.  You will probably be told to 'back up' because they can't see their keyboard if your head is there.

4.  Pace back and forth through living room.

5.  Go ring the bell* to go out.

6.  Walk back to living room.

7.  Circle around Rosco whose being boring by lying on the floor at their feet.

8.  Ring bell again

9.  Return because bell is being ignored.

10.  Poke Mom and Dad

11.  Walk over Rosco a few times

12. Poke Rosco

13.  Keep poking Rosco (occasionally this will result in some wrestling so keep at it!).

14.  Ring bell

15.  Ring bell

16.  Pace back and forth from bell to living room a few times.

17.  Ring bell

18.  Stare at Mom and Dad and if possible, poke again.

19.  Ring bell.

 

THIS to me is the picture of boredom.  NOT Rosco who is laying there perfectly content to warm our toes. So to me when I see dogs/doodles laying around and chillaxin' I think 'Ahhhh, what happy content doggies!"  When I see Boca I feel bad because I'm DONE for the day and she's just caught her second wind...I also feel bad for me because her energy at that time drives me a bit bonkers...okay a lot bonkers.  Time to buy some new bones for her to chew on, I think!

 

*At this point in the night ringing the bell is 99% simply for the purpose of being outside, possibly digging, possibly finding her favorite ball and digging with it or if she's lucky getting a game of fetch.  Said activities are generally 95% of the reason she rings the bell through the day. 

[Adina P]

Yeah they really get their second wind after sundown...must be a canine thing!

[Kathy]

Hahahahaha!!!  Substitute flipping my arm in the air for poking and ringing and you've go it right.  In fact I found with Tia DON'T get her on a schedule or there is no rest for the tired or ill mommy!  Ever get a slobbery big kong ball in your face or on your head?  I guess we all know the wet doggy ball yucky experience!  Thanks for the laugh.  I shared your experience with my friend and so we both had a good end to our night!  Thanks again!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

20. Pace back and forth, chortle, jump up on Mom, Dad, Clancy, Gordie with toy in mouth.

[Arlene Thompson]

This sounds like Magoo also.  He will ring the bell right after he has just came in only because we sat down.  Every time we sit down for a meal he has a drink because we wipe his mouth.  I feel he gets plenty of exercise but he is not the playful kind that likes to fetch a ball he just likes his walks.  What to do?

[Leslie and Halas]

I get the stare-down. And Halas will also just stand in the kitchen and whine. If I ignore him, he will eventually lay down with the loudest sigh he can manage.