Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Persnickety Piper

Piper has been developing some pretty peculiar habits lately, like
lining up his favorite toys in the window-for safekeeping I'm sure.

He also likes to show off his "toy of the day" as soon as I come home from work. I say toy of the day because it's usually a different item he comes running to the door to greet me with everyday. Without fail, he will be super attached to that toy for the rest of the night, and usually even tries to take it out on walks with him(so cute!). This new habit started in our job transitions where both Chris and I were out the house at the same times, leaving him by himself for longer hours than he was used to. So, he's made the best of his alone time and has become better friends with his toys :) Two words- Separation Anxiety.

He seems to understand more of the things we say now-like "going upstairs" and other everyday sayings. If I know that Chris is on his way home, I can tell Piper that he's coming home soon and no lie, he will run to the window and sit there patiently until he gets home...that is unless I'm cooking of course, in which case nothing gets between that dog and a crumb!

In other Piper news, he has almost mastered his new trick "spin," is in dire need of a good grooming and has more treats in our pantry than we do! He is very affectionate and playful, and has not mellowed out an ounce since we had him neutered a few weeks ago. In fact, he is as energetic and mischievous as ever! In any case, I'm confident that most of his acting out is rooted in attention seeking and not pure evil. He really would be an almost perfect pup if he didn't feel the need to bark at every soul that walks in front of our home-this is by far our biggest challenge! It's a hard one though because it's really just our home where he's territorial-he's an absolute angel when we take him out in public to eat, walk, ect. He's even been doing really well with strangers and kids coming up to pet him. I don't understand why he doesn't feel the need to bark at a TON of people outside the mall but goes crazy when just one person comes within a close radius of our home. Our poor, blessed neighbors! Any Caesar Milan experts out there? Tips appreciated! Other than that he's a perfectly well adjusted pup-albeit with a strangely curious and quirky affection for his toys ;)

2 comments:

BoldLion said...

This is interesting to learn more about your Piper, and what he is doing during the time you two are away from home!

As for him barking at anyone coming to the door. I would love that as a hearing dog for me because I wouldn't hear someone knocking on the door. To me that is an A+. I know that you want to train him not to do that.

I did trained Rooster, my Golden Retriever not to bark when I am on the phone. He did great job. I did trained him to bark when someone is coming.

Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion

Anonymous said...

Love those Piper stories. Can't wait to see him shaved! Unless, of course, you want to pay really really big bucks to have hime combed out. Just think, change is good! Love Mom