"Which Toy" Game

Every owner has interactive games which they play with their canines. Hide 'n Seek. Fetch. Tug 'o War. Some are traditional, others original. I even own a book "Beyond Fetch"--which I've recommended on this blog--about being creative when it comes to interactive play!! "Beyond Fetch", by Caroline Coile is an excellent reference book!! I enjoyed it, anyway!! A particular "game" that Rose and I play together is neither traditional, nor original. I made it up!! Yep!! I am not sure, exactly, what to call it, so.... "Which Toy" game? I hold twain saliva-stained plush squeaky animals, one in each hand. Then I ask a question. "Which one do you want?" I squeeze their squeakers. Repeatedly. Then, my bright girl "chooses" one!! This is a fun, mind-stimulating game, which we both enjoy!! Earlier today, I was playing it with Rose. In one hand, I held Curious George, her orange-colored monkey. In the other was Sugar, the pink kitty. Squeak!! Squeak!! Squeak!! Squeak!! Squeak!! Then.... The question. "Which one do you want?" Usually in this instance, Rose's head will shift from hand to hand. I can almost see her making the important "decision".... Not earlier this afternoon!! Today, I watched, as Rose's expressive colossal brown eyes moved slowly from Curious George, to Sugar. Back and forth, back and forth. Finally, Rose's head turned to her right. Now those eyes were playfully mischievous!! I have seen them like this before. Countless times!! She pranced over to Rose, her baby blue-hued puppy toy, which lie, abandoned, on our great room carpet. Then, like a wild hawk hunting, my mongrel swooped down, and grabbed that puppy!! I laughed so hard, Rose began to seemingly wonder what was so funny!! I then embraced her, and stroked Rose's velvet-soft fur. But I could not stop laughing!! Rule breaker!! That is not how you play the game....!!

Not A Retriever

Dogs need human interaction. Playtime. Training. Walks. They thrive on it!! Some canines need human interaction more than others. Rose falls into that category. Without a doubt!! For these beautiful creatures were made to form an unbreakable bond with their people!! After all, they depend entirely upon us!! For food. Water. Treats. And when their people are negligent owners, based on our experience, dogs find ways to compensate!! Rose is a fine example of this!! When we first adopted her, she seemingly refused to play with us. How strange is that? Apparently, poor Rose was never introduced to interactive play!! She would hold a toy within her mouth. Drop the stuffed animal to our floor. And roll in it. That was how Rose played. All by herself. I would attempt to interact with my mongrel, sans any success. She just did not understand!! Seriously!! There is no "Retriever" in Beagle/German Shepherd, thus Rose did not fetch. I accepted that. And I actually gave her "solitary play" zero thought!! I never tried to work on human interaction with my girl. No. When she has a toy, I simply play with her!! Unless I am temporarily preoccupied.... Slow, but sure, Rose has learned interactive play!! Yippee!! First she would run away from me in our fenced backyard. I'd say: "Go, go, go!!" and Rose fled!! Perhaps not the most ideal game for a Beagle mix, but she interacted with me!! I will take that. Then, she participated in tug-of-war with Kermit, her Booda brand dog toy. Until "he" became worn. Plus Rose absolutely enjoys playing "keep-away". Always has. Rose will hold a toy between her teeth, I'll go after my crazy hound.... And she scampers off!! That cunning little mutt!! Now she and I have twain silly little interactive made-up "games" which we play: "Where's Rose?", and "Follow Me". So far. Perhaps in the future, I will make up even more "games". "Where's Rose?" is always played outside. In our backyard. During the morning. After she does her business. Rose poops, then frolics around the yard!! That's right. Frolics. She can be so weird sometimes!! But after Rose is finished doing her business, my weird dog begins to act playful!! Really!! She runs a half-circle around the yard toward our wooden porch. In full-speed. "Hides" between the porch and our trailer. I say "Where's Rose? Rose!! Where's Rose?". And she shows herself!! Repeat. Until she is finished!! We participate in this "game" nearly every morning!! "Follow Me" is played less often. I hunch over and dangle my arms. "Come on, come, on, come on...." I coax Rose. While walking backwards. Rose follows. Then she earns some praise and a liberal sprinkling of grated cheddar cheese!! Simple. Yet interactive!! Recently my bright girl has learned to "fetch" her toys!! Sort of. I gently snatch away Garfield or Mutt and sway my hand back and forth. "Ready? One, two, three...." I begin. Her head moves along with my repetitive swaying. She is focused. In the zone. I throw Garfield or Mutt. "Go get it!!" I command. And Rose does this adorable prance-like bow toward Garfield or Mutt!! But she never brings her toys back!! Nope. She playfully flees her Mama as though thinking: "Catch me if you can!!" Which, of course, is only part of the fun!! Well, I do not own a Retriever mix....

Rose's "Talking" Tail

Dogs "express" themselves in various ways. Some bark. And for creatures that are unable to verbalize words like humans, who can blame them? Some expose their tongues in a goofy "grin". That is, if canines are even capable of smiling!! Some howl. Especially hound-type breeds. Some wag their tails in an exuberant manner. Like Rose. She wags her tail for anything--food, attention, play--that is simply the way my mongrel "expresses" herself!! A few months back, there was this "Family Circus" comic strip featured in our local newspaper. Dolly and Jeffy are with their shaggy-furred dog, Sam. He is wagging his tail so enthusiastically it might fly off. Literally. Dolly says: "Sam likes to smile with his tail 'stead of his face." Yep, that's my Rose!! It was perfect, just perfect!! I cut that "Family Circus" strip out. And I put it away for memory's sake!! Seriously, how could I not? Rose's tail greets me in a spinning motion whenever she is lounging around on "our" bed. Thump, thump, thump!! it pounds against my mattress. Thump, thump, thump!! when I pass the doorway. Thump, thump, thump!! if I am in our kitchen. Thump, thump, thump!! when I'm headed to the bathroom. Thump, thump, thump!! if I am walking toward her!! Around and around, Rose's tail spins like the rotator blades of a helicopter!! This gesture never ceases to make me smile!! Works every time!! For whenever Rose greets me with her spinning tail, it is as though she's talking!! Silently. But talking!! Sort of like a small child who just caught sight of his mother. "Mommy!!" he exclaims with much delight. Rose's tail practically does that!! She catches sight of me, and it is impossible to ignore!! Thump, thump, thump!! And I began to smile!! What does Rose's tail say? I think, like the delightful boy, it declares: "Mama!!", if that is what dogs call their owners. We have even made a game of this: I walk into "our" bedroom, Rose lying upon my mattress. I say: "Where's your tail? Where's your tail? Where's your tail?". Provided that Rose is in the mood for this crazy made-up game, she participates. Thump, thump, thump!! Her tail then starts spinning and pounds my mattress!!

Hide And Seek

(Taken from "Beyond Fetch: Fun, Interactive Activities for You and Your Dog" by D. Caroline Coile)

HIDE AND SEEK

YOU HIDE, HE SEEKS

Abilities: Stay while you are out of site; come

Dogs have as much fun playing hide and seek as kids do--and they're better at it! The only thing they're not good at is counting to 100 before they start seeking. That means you either have to place your dog on a stay and then call him, or wait until he's in another room before you call. Either way, it's part of his sneaky plan to make you give away your hiding place. Start hiding in easy places: behind doors, in closets or under tables. Then move to harder places: the bathtub, under the bed or in a cabinet. Any children playing this game should be cautioned about choosing only safe hiding places. Try to resist the temptation to jump out and say "boo!" when your dog finds you. OK, only do it if your dog thinks it's funny. You can boost enthusiasm by handing out a treat when you're discovered. As your dog hones his skills, you can move outdoors and start hiding all over the place. Taking turns with a friend who can hold your dog while you hide enables you to really challenge him. You can go farther away, climb trees and if you're especially daring, hide in shallow water. Not only is this a fun game by itself, but it is also a good foundation for more involved games of trailing and of search and rescue. For added fun, play in the dark!

Summertime Is Calling!!

Ah, Summer has officially arrived!! Dreary rains have ceased to make way for warm, lovely sunshine!! A season when we sport shorts, tank tops, flip-flops. Drive to parks, enjoy hikes, indulge in backyard barbecues. A season when we attend weddings, graduations, birthday parties. In 70-plus degree temperatures.... With a light breeze.... That is my idea of the perfect afternoon!! And Summer is a lengthy, dull season sans canines to share it with!! Why? The possibilities for bonding are boundless!! You can take Buddy camping. Or sit in the privacy of your own garden with Sabrina. Seriously.... The options are endless!! I have been reading through this fantastic pet resource book entitled: "Beyond Fetch: Fun, Interactive Activities for You and Your Dog" by D. Caroline Coile. It is literally jam-packed from cover to cover with game ideas!! Red Light/Green Light. (Simon) Says. Red Rover. Some are physical activities, others mental. "Beyond Fetch" features party games, options for indoor/outside play, even homemade toy ideas!! Plus more!! Even games which encourage obedience!! Within the pages of this reference book are wonderful bonding opportunities between master and canine!! Not every game listed is suitable for every breed. If you have an "opinionated" Border Collie, then "Bark-o-Rama" wouldn't at all be appropriate!! As the owner, you should know your dog. Be his judge as to what's best for him!! On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Uncle Michael and I tried one of the activities featured in "Beyond Fetch". From Chapter 1. It was Hide And Seek. We enjoyed teaching it to Rose.... She had fun participating!! Of course, it was a trial run!! And our rules altered themselves three times. Firstly, in our backyard, I held Rose's collar, while Uncle Michael hid, or vice versa. Uncle Michael/I called out: "Rose Come!!" We allowed my mongrel to watch us run away. She seemingly had little sense of direction with that rule!! Really? Where is that incredible "hound" nose? Rose would bound toward me/Uncle Michael with gusto, take a spin around where I/Uncle Michael was hiding, then look pleased with herself!! But this felt like cheating!! Secondly, Uncle Michael/I held Rose's collar on our patio.... Where she could no longer watch us run away. My bright girl caught on swiftly!! She soon figured out that the object of this game is to run across our backyard as I/Uncle Michael called her!! Plus, we lavished Rose with verbal and physical praise whenever Uncle Michael/I were found!! Fun, fun, fun!! There was merely two "off-limit" hiding locations: No flower garden and no fruit/vegetable garden!! Around here, everybody has what we call: "House Rules", where original instructions are always bent. When we played Hide And Seek, on the third round, Rose decided that she was done!! Seriously? Done? By then, Uncle Michael was repeatedly calling out: "Rose come!!" with zero response!! She just stood there, motionless, like a statue, on our patio!! So I walked toward my now disobedient mutt. Firmly took hold of her collar. Gently lead Rose to my hiding spot. Rose's shoulders slumped, her head hung low. As if she was wondering: "Did I do something wrong?" Oh, that broke my heart!! By trying to teach Rose to obey, it seemed, we robbed all the fun!! So our "House Rules" will be that Uncle Michael/I only call Rose's name!! This way, when she is done, there's no disobedience involved!!

Kermit

Dogs love to play!! For the central point of retrieving green saliva-soaked tennis balls, or reaching those deep blue skies while soaring toward bright-colored, hard plastic Frisbees is quality time with their owners!! Whatever it be.... Mind-stimulating games, something ingeniously thought up, ordinary activities.... Canines never take for granted this simple mundane thing, they relish bonding moments with their masters, and these eternally social creatures never quit seeking out play!! Rose owns a green frog plush squeak dog toy, which she loves. "His" belly is neon yellow.... Or at least it used to be!! Now the stomach appears more of a brownish-black/neon yellow combination.... Resulted from my mongrel's inevitable saliva!! "He" has long, skinny arms and legs for tug-'o-war games. Rose owns other toys, but this frog--that I named Kermit--happens to be her favorite!! If she is in the mood for play, my canine will run toward Kermit, pounce on "him", and sometimes lie down, frog between her teeth. But frequently Rose stands in a "prance" position--backside up, tail curled, as though doing stretches--toy between her teeth. During those opportunities, I slowly, comically, dramatically, inch forward. I swiftly drop to my knees. Now on Rose's level, I reach for the toy. If I'm able to grab a hold of Kermit's arm or leg, she will sometimes jerk that frog by whatever part of "him" is within her mouth. I pull in return.... Then a game of tug-'o-war rages!! But never for long. Rose releases her grip, surrenders far too soon, and I win!! If my hand misses Kermit, she will playfully back up, then excitably flee.... The toy still between her teeth!! One afternoon, my bright, furtive mongrel tricked me!! Everything preceded as normal. Rose was found carrying Kermit. I did my slow, comical, dramatic little act. She ran off.... In the direction of our bedroom!! I followed my canine.... And observed that Rose had abandoned her frog near the dog pillow. Or so I thought!! Lying upon my bed was Rose!! More times than not, she merely wishes to chew an arm or leg, and "play by herself", as I call it. Rarely, I miss a fleeting opportunity, and she is done, without my participation. This must be one of those times, I thought. Laughing at Rose's goofy behavior, I sat next to her, stroked my dog's velvet-soft fur.... Then, in one graceful, rapid leap, she exited the bed, snatched Kermit, and fled!! I was conned by a canine!!