Laugh Like a Newfie

My mom recently had a client who once owned a Newfoundland, and she began to describe the Newfoundland sense of humor. "He used to steal my stuff and take it out in the yard." I used to do the same thing to my dad. I would get in the trash or do things that I knew irritated him, just for a laugh. I did it to Muggsy, and now I do it to Bammie.

But I never do that to my mom. Probably for the same reason that the other Newfie stopped doing those things to her mom. "I just ignored him. Eventually, he stopped." That's what you have to do to us silly puppies who are just trying to mess with you. You can't take the bait. If you do, we will continue our games forever.

Think you're punishing us by yelling at us? Ha! We think it's hilarious. I mean, some dogs are really sensitive to that sort of thing, and you will know those right away. You can tell that I am not that sort of dog. I wag my tail a little, and seriously, I look like I'm laughing with my eyes a little. Yelling at me will not help. When you glare and wave your arms, it just looks like you're dancing. Silly and hilarious.

If I grab something that's yours and start running with it, don't chase me. You just created the best game ever. I will run and run, laughing in my head the whole time.

The best thing to do is just ignore it. Start playing with a toy and running in the opposite direction. Put me in my crate and clean up the mess. Keep your favorite shoes etc where I can't reach them and train me to leave it.

Most importantly, if your dog has a behavior that you don't like and it continues, sit down, figure out what you do when your dog does this and change your behavior. Because whether you know it or not, you are a part of the problem.

Now have a good laugh about your dog pulling one over on you and enjoy the rest of your day. Happy New Year! Love, Chubbs