John Stirs Up the Shih Tzu
Flower and Dottie made their usual visit up the stairs to the side of my bed to wake me, yapping, moving from side to side, their heads bouncing up and down. Later, when John went downstairs, Flower kept running around like a crazy person, until we decided it was time for John to try a “don’t do this unless you’re a professional” Cesar Millan maneuver. He tried to approach her, with his arms out, getting closer and closer.
She had too much room to work with and went flying across the living room, darting in and out of dining room chairs, back into the living room, up the stairs, down the stairs, into the kitchen, back out, all the while leaving small, brown droppings here and there.
We finally decided that we would get back to her issues later, and ignored her. I got out the cleaning supplies and went poop hunting. That all happened before they had breakfast.
I had John carry the food bowls outside to see what they would do. I didn’t think Flower would come outside r
ight away, but she darted out and started gobbling her food like demons were after her.
After that, she went inside and over to Shih Tzu Central, where she sat quietly, not barking or growling.
Although she had caused the other shih tzus to scatter, they calmed down quickly as well.
That Loud Noise Again!
It’s very hard to go many days without getting the steam cleaner out these days. I have been threatening to get a spy camera so I can tell who is doing what where, and try to correct it. Out-of-town relatives are coming to visit Friday, so it’s especially important to freshen up the house before then.
Freshening up included washing the dog beds and assorted towels and blankets from their corner. So, beyond having to listen to the awful sound from the steam cleaner, the girls were going to have to find somewhere else to lie down. Flower decided that the people couch would do for a while.
I had decided to try another Dog Whisperer trick. Cesar Millan says that if the pet is afraid of the vacuum cleaner that you need to position the dog near the machine and give it a treat. Then turn it on. Candy is the one who is the most afraid. She usually sees it coming out and runs towards the stairs. She will stay upstairs for long periods of time after the vacuum cleaner noise stops.
I used Cesar’s dog treats for the experiment. I approached Candy and picked her up and took her over near the vacuum. I told her that I was going to turn it on and I gave her a dog treat. I turned it on, and she ran like crazy towards the stairs. Well, it takes even Cesar weeks to rehabilitate some dogs.
One good thing came out of the experiment. When she ran upstairs, John was getting ready for work. She has been responding more and more to him. They had some tender moments because of the steam cleaner. He came downstairs a little later holding her. She looked perfectly content.
Dottie and Flower aren’t as afraid of the vacuum cleaner, although they don’t like it. They cross the room, but they don’t run upstairs like Candy does. Shiloh, the visiting Boston terrier mix, could care less. He doesn’t seem to even notice when it goes on.
I did sit Flower next to the machine, gave her a treat and turned it on. She went back to her corner. She also jumped on the people couch for a while, but when I got near it, she jumped off and went to Shih Tzu Central.
Whenever I went near enough to reach her, I pulled a treat out of my pocket and gave it to her and Dottie. Of course, Shiloh got one, too.
I finished the cleaning later in the afternoon. That time, I guess you could say there was improvement. Candy ran to her private corner in the dining room and stayed there, but she didn’t attempt to run upstairs.
When I got done cleaning, Flower and Dottie both sat with me for a while. Although Flower has her fits and malfunctions, she seems to forget easily. After John left, she came and sat by me, staring into my eyes as I talked to her and petted her. I wonder if she even knows she can be a royal pain in the bum.
I decided to put a little in each of their bowls. I set Shiloh’s in the kitchen and the girls in the living room, up near the dining table. Flower and Dottie went to eat theirs, while Candy was deciding if it was safe. Then, Shiloh rushed in and decided he’d eat Candy’s. I got irritated, since this is a habit, picked him up abruptly, said it wasn’t his food, rather loudly, and sat him down on the rocking chair. Candy flew under the table, and Flower followed her. I finally got Flower to come back out. The tension didn’t seem to affect Dottie.