Episode #37: Pillow Fight!!!

Bonnie

Clyde

How can the main story be about a pillow? I don’t know, but these dogs were all about it this week. We were shopping at a nearby hardware store and came across a rare deal (better than Walmart AND Kroger). This store had a 30x40 dog bed that wad as soft the softest blanket and as comfortable as the warmth under a blanket on a cold morning. It was bigger and cheaper, so we bought one.

As soon as we brought it home, Moxie knew what it was and climbed in. This caused potential issues because Bonnie loves dog beds and Clyde loves pillows. We just sat back and waited for the drama to start. The other three dogs watched Moxie with jealousy and waited for their opportunity to steal the new bed.

I guess Bonnie decided she didn’t want to wait any longer, so he began to slowly etch closer and closer to Moxie (who is known for her distaste for other dogs entering her space without permission). Moxie stared as she approached Bonnie let out a little whine; Moxie didn’t give up her space. Bonnie barked; Moxie didn’t budge. Bonnie got even closer, like she was going to climb on the massive pillow with Moxie, but Moxie snapped at her, and Bonnie jumped back. Normally, this would have been enough, but Bonnie really wanted in the new bed. She braved Moxie again. This time the “hard core” Moxie stood up at let Bonnie have the bed. We watched in awe as Moxie gave in and Bonnie snuggled in (for now).

I tried to give Moxie a chance to get her bed back. “Look,” I said excitedly. This is the signal for every dog in our house to run to the window. They did, including Bonnie, but Moxie was done; she didn’t take the bed back. She no longer wanted it and has not been on it since.

Over the course of the evening, all the dogs (except Moxie) took their turn in the bed. As soon as one you get up, another pounced. Several times, Bonnie tried the same tactic on Penny and tried to get her to give up her space. We all joked about it because we knew Penny was a snuggler and welcomed the extra body on the pillow. As expected, Penny didn't budge. Bonnie wedged herself in between Penny and the couch, but she did not get her way. She soon gave up and left the pillow.

The new pillow was a success. All the dogs loved it, so we did what any “fur baby” parent would do. The next day, we went back to the store and got one for every dog!!!

This week, we moved their crates beside each other to make room for the Christmas tree. We thought they would like to be close, but they would still have plenty of room. They adapted very well and seem to love the arrangement. They get to be side by side but still apart!

The pups have been allowed on the couch for a little more than a week now. I will admit that I love our nightly routine. Dinner is over, chores are done, and Bradley has already gone to bed. The night had settled to a slow pace, and it was time to snuggle on the couch with a warm blanket.

I sat in the corner of the couch, legs pulled up and tucked under me as the dogs assume their positions beside me. They get close enough to receive pets for the next hour. The three of us lounge, relax, and unwind.

When it is bedtime, I open the back door, which lures them from their comfortable retreats. This allows me to put them in their crates without having to drag them.

As much as I love this ritual, the smell of the dogs on the fabric is more than I want. Sadly, we are switching back to the “No dogs on the furniture” rule. All the dogs are sad and are struggling with the change, but Clyde is the worst. I pull him off one couch, then he runs to the loveseat. I pull him off the love seat and he ran to the formal living room couch.

No words needed

It had been a while since I personally had walked the pups through the neighborhood, so I decided to give it a try. I was afraid they had lost the progress they had made. I was right. Before they were walking beside me and not pulling. They weren’t perfect, but they were well on their way to it. This training was super important to me, so I started it up again.

I took Clyde first. I dressed him in his harness and put treats in my pocket. He was on a long leash, but I kept it shorter, not allowing hm the luxury of walking off the sidewalk. The first few minutes were rough. He tried to sniff and mark every tree and rock. But he quickly began to respond to my commands and walk beside me. Whenever he would walk for a few seconds without pulling or venturing off on his own, I would give him a treat. By the time we headed back to the house, he was walking perfectly.

I did the same with Bonnie. She wanted to sniff more, and she had more kids and cars to distract her, but she remembered quickly and began to respond as well.

COMMANDS

I say “walk” and give a quick, sharp tug when they start to pull away.

I say “good” and give a treat when they are walking the speed and the direction of my command. (Spreading out the time longer and longer as they get better)

PENNY

Their little blue monster was so cute and loved, we got a second one. To us, they looked exactly the same, but to the dogs, I think the new one was better. Clyde began to play with it as Bonnie watched and waited for her opportunity to have a turn (whether a fair or stolen opportunity). Penny approached the toy at one point, because she loves new toys also, causing Bonnie to move between Penny and Clyde (obliviously playing with the toy). She wanted her turn and was guarding it well. Penny, respecting Bonnie’s turn went back to the other room peacefully.

Something at the window caught their attention, for a brief second. Bonnie’s head turned toward the window and Clyde pounced that direction (leaving the toy unattended). In that quick moment, Penny ran in the room, swooped the toy, and ran took off to the other room with it. Bonnie just stood there bewildered, looking around for the toy, not knowing what just happened.

Sneaky, sneaky, Penny!

EXTRAS

New coats

Halloween cookies (Moxie snubbing hers)

Bonnie loving the old bed even after it was mangled