My lovely friend Mel came to visit this week. This would mark the first time I've had overnight guests in the apartment with Doberdog. Mel comes from a dog loving family, and two years ago also adopted a rescue pup (whom she left at home because of energy levels in a small space) Like the perfect pal she is, she brought Loki a brand new toy to introduce herself. Loki was DELIGHTED. He did all his tricks.. SIT! DOWN! ROLL OVER! He wagged and wagged, ears as down as they could possibly go, so proud of his new present/accomplishment. It was love at first sight.
When Loki gets something of high value (a bullystick, new femur bone, or new squeaky toy....) he does the strut circuit. He must show everyone what he has before settling in to destroy it in a matter of minutes. "See!!! See what I have!! Seeee this?!!!" The toy soon became a shadow of what it once was (within fifteen minutes)
Loki was completely taken with Mel. Followed her everywhere, looked at her longingly, was never far from her. It helped that she brought new toys and new dog smells into the house. It also helped that he could spend the days with her while I was at work so, so they cuddled, played and went for walks where Loki played tour guide.
Her visit wasnt without a blip. Somehow, when we were out he decided to help himself to two half bags of chips (bonus one was Maple Bacon chips...ooooops) off the counter and a box of croissants. Mind oversight. We came home to the garbagetastic evidence and a weird cowering funny looking Loki. He certainly showed signs of guilt, but dogs live in the moment and he wouldnt have remembered exactly what he had done. He hasnt counter surfed to that degree in a long time. Methinks he was frustrated that his new bff left and he was all alone.
But tonight was really peculiar, Loki doesnt steal food if people are around. You could leave a steak on the coffee table and he wouldnt go after it. We've tested him and he's always passed. Tonight, I got up to go into the kitchen and within seconds he stood up snatched a large half loaf of bruschetta off the coffee table. Doberdad got there too late and asked him to leeeeave it leaaaaaave it leaaaaaaave it but it was basically a lost cause bc it was half way down his gullet. I sent him immediately to his bed, and told him No!! And he had this defiant look on his face, one that I havent seen. At one point I saw him curl his lip the slightest little bit as I said NO!! Was he confused and insecure? Is he acting out because his new bestfriend went back home? Why the sudden boldness? We will now be monitoring his behaviour around mealtime. At least he hasnt let himself out of parked cars in Ikea parking lots.... What a monkey....
***UPDATE**** We woke up to the gorgle-gorgle-gorgle-blurrrrp of Loki being sick this morning. We don't know if the toy duck head we found was ingested or happened to take the brunt of the sick. Perhaps he ate the bruschetta because his stomach was upset? Usually he eats grass when he's dealing with a tums issue......
When Loki gets something of high value (a bullystick, new femur bone, or new squeaky toy....) he does the strut circuit. He must show everyone what he has before settling in to destroy it in a matter of minutes. "See!!! See what I have!! Seeee this?!!!" The toy soon became a shadow of what it once was (within fifteen minutes)
Loki was completely taken with Mel. Followed her everywhere, looked at her longingly, was never far from her. It helped that she brought new toys and new dog smells into the house. It also helped that he could spend the days with her while I was at work so, so they cuddled, played and went for walks where Loki played tour guide.
Her visit wasnt without a blip. Somehow, when we were out he decided to help himself to two half bags of chips (bonus one was Maple Bacon chips...ooooops) off the counter and a box of croissants. Mind oversight. We came home to the garbagetastic evidence and a weird cowering funny looking Loki. He certainly showed signs of guilt, but dogs live in the moment and he wouldnt have remembered exactly what he had done. He hasnt counter surfed to that degree in a long time. Methinks he was frustrated that his new bff left and he was all alone.
But tonight was really peculiar, Loki doesnt steal food if people are around. You could leave a steak on the coffee table and he wouldnt go after it. We've tested him and he's always passed. Tonight, I got up to go into the kitchen and within seconds he stood up snatched a large half loaf of bruschetta off the coffee table. Doberdad got there too late and asked him to leeeeave it leaaaaaave it leaaaaaaave it but it was basically a lost cause bc it was half way down his gullet. I sent him immediately to his bed, and told him No!! And he had this defiant look on his face, one that I havent seen. At one point I saw him curl his lip the slightest little bit as I said NO!! Was he confused and insecure? Is he acting out because his new bestfriend went back home? Why the sudden boldness? We will now be monitoring his behaviour around mealtime. At least he hasnt let himself out of parked cars in Ikea parking lots.... What a monkey....
***UPDATE**** We woke up to the gorgle-gorgle-gorgle-blurrrrp of Loki being sick this morning. We don't know if the toy duck head we found was ingested or happened to take the brunt of the sick. Perhaps he ate the bruschetta because his stomach was upset? Usually he eats grass when he's dealing with a tums issue......