Has Your Dog Trained You?

There is a lot of talk about training your dogs. You can find tips on training your dog via every media available from books, dvds, online videos and cable series. All offer great tips on training your dog and making him or her a great canine citizen.

Have you ever realized how well trained you, the pet owner, is? I don't know about you, but I have just figured out that I'm a very well trained "person" indeed. They always seem to be able to get me to "obey" and make them happy.

I had to laugh at myself today. I was sitting here typing away when I heard a low animal "moan" of sorts. I looked over and my poodle, Max, was sitting outside the bathroom door staring at me. When I looked at him and said "What's wrong?" He did his low pitched moan again and sort of shuffled his front feet and looked in the bathroom door. He obviously wanted me to get up and go over to him. Guess what . . . I did! His water bowl in the bathroom was empty and he was thirsty. This is not the first time he has "told me" that he needed water.

There have been countless times when one of my three dogs has come to my second floor bedroom, stood outside my door, whined, shuffled their feet or just barked at me to get my attention. Each has their own unique way of getting my attention by the way. I always get up and follow them as they run down the stairs where I'm then "told" they need to go out or they are hungry.

Sometimes they just want to play and a toy will be tossed at me. It doesn't matter if I'm taking a nap . . . the toy will be tossed in my face or placed in my open hand. I always "obey" and throw the toy because they are just so darn cute!

Is your dog trained or has your dog trained you?