10 Ways to Annoy Your Dog
Dagney hates to wait
If Randy or I use the word walk in a sentence, Dagney interprets it as an invitation. If we hold up her leash she shakes with excitement. That’s what happened when we planned a morning walk. We were prepared. Dagney filled with expectations. But then the phone rang. The conversation lasted long enough to turn our dog into a statue. She didn’t move an inch while waiting for Randy to finish the phone call. Yes, she did get rewarded with a long, leisurely walk.
Waiting for her walk fits on a long list of behaviors that annoy Dagney — and probably all dogs.
Waiting at the drive-through windows provides anticipation of what might be on the other side of the window. Just enough businesses offer doggy treats that she vibrates at the possibilities. If we drive away without rewarding her cuteness, she sulks in the passenger’s seat. Imagine her excitement when we placed our order for coffee at one window, drove to the next to pick it up, and she received another treat. She ate one and buried the second in her car seat.
Waiting for peanuts, which are a favorite treat for us both tests her patience. I enjoy unsalted peanuts in the shell and will spend evenings in front of the TV eating them as a snack. Just the smell has her frozen beside me. Dagney wild do anything for just a half a nut, including waiting — but not so patiently. Her tails wiggles as she advances but she never crosses the imaginary line.
Waiting for a ride makes her sit up pretty. Dagney loves to ride everything: motorcycles, lawnmowers, golf carts, bicycles . . . Her favorite seat is on the back of the Harley. When the bikes are outside, she is nearby just incase we decide to leave the driveway. She jumps on the seat so she is not forgotten and cannot be left behind.
Waiting for freedom tests her limits. We travel a lot which requires Dagney to be contained, not her favorite thing. She sits and stares at us when behind a fence. She knows giving us that look will secure her release at the first possible moment.
With his happy go lucky attitude, her brother Cisco is a little harder to annoy. Usually, if Dagney is nearby he is content. However, he hates to be confined to the patio deck. His small size allows him to slip through the fence slats. Thanks to the internet, this solution stopped his escape. I slid a kitchen utensil under his vest. He couldn’t get out, but he did chew up the end of the spatula.
Waiting his turn can be difficult. Even though he has his own treats and toys, Cisco will wait until Dagney walks away and then swoop in to confiscated whatever she had. I suppose jealousy is simply wanting what others have. As he waits, he emits low, desperate whines.
Sharing is a near impossibility for Dagney. She will gather all the bones and growl to keep him at bay. She will sleep on as many stuffed animals as her body can cover. She wants them all. Cisco responds by getting as close to Dagney as physically possible and watches her every move.
Other than waiting there are additional actions that annoy our pups.
Electronics provoke them. I haven’t decided if barking at the vacuum and leaf blower are signs of fear or spark their instincts to protect their domain. But when both make a racket causing the dogs contribute to the chaos.
Squeaky toys must die. Though both dogs love their toys, the plastic noise maker inside prompts aggressive responses, thankfully not to people but the the toys. Cisco pulls the stuffing out as part of the game. He looks so proud until disciplined, and then he seems sorry and apologizes with his eyes as his tail hides between his legs. In his mind, I believe his repentant behavior is all a show because at the next opportunity, he kills another stuffed animal.
When Randy or I change our sleep positions both the dogs become frustrated. They each have their spot reserved in our bed. If either of us veer from the norm, it causes them confusion. Dagney must sleep between the legs of one of us. Cisco presses his body against our backs as he cuddles between us. We have both awaken in the morning with a sore back or stiff joint because we didn’t want to shift and annoy the dogs. Now, that’s spoiled. But that’s love.
If you enjoy dogs as much as I do, you might enjoy Dagney's book - available on Amazon.
Live a Satisfying Life By Doing it Doggy Style
Between the covers readers will enjoy
- 38 chapters
- 87 colored pictures
- 40 inspirational quotes
- Dozens of life lessons
- Journaling activities
- Tons of laughs
About the Creator
Brenda Mahler
Travel
Writing Lessons
Memoirs
Poetry
Books AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
* Lockers Speak: Voices from America's Youth
* Understanding the Power Not Yet shares Kari’s story following a stroke at 33.
* Live a Satisfying Life By Doing it Doggy Style explains how humans can life to the fullest.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Comments (1)
Your dogs are very beautiful, and they seem very playful. These stories are adorable. You must be very proud to have such beautiful dogs.