Who is training who?

I have been working with Finn, training him for Rally and Obedience. I have come to realize though, that Finn has been working on his own training agenda.

Finn, like any child, prefers cookies to dinner. He knows where the cookies are, he knows I can get them for him. About a month ago, he started a campaign for cookies in the evening.

He nudges me when he wants something. This can be rather inconvenient when I am on the computer, or if he nudges me just as I am taking a drink. After determining he didn't want out, and had plenty of water, I figured out he was wanting to score some munchies. In the beginning, I gave him a cookie, just so he would let me type in peace.

I then realized he was eating less and less of dinner, so put a stop to the cookies. Finn then tried to figure out what would start up the free cookie machine again. He would eventually finish his dinner. then one time he finished, then asked for more. I cleaned his bowl, and put out fresh dry kibble, and some cookies. At the time I just figured he was still hungry after dinner.

He rather quickly figured out if he finished his dinner, he got dessert. Not that he didn't try to get cookies without finishing, he is always hopeful I will relent and just give him treats. Often he will eat half his dinner, then come nudge me. I will tell him no, he has to finish his dinner first. He will sigh, but will eventually clean his bowl. Sometimes it is hours later, but immediately after he has he comes and nudges me to let me know he is finished.

I wash his bowl, and set him up. This has been a regular thing for the last two weeks, and I am now realizing he has figured out a way to get cookies every evening. Granted, he has to eat his dinner first, so it's really a win-win situation. (Finn is a finicky eater)

So who trained who? I think it was an open negotiation, with benefits for both parties.

Fetch, Finnegan style

Since we got Finn, over a year ago, we have tried to play with him like you usually do with a dog. Tug of war with a rope toy, squeeky toys, fetch with a ball. For each of these attempts Finn has just looked at us with what I guess is the same expression a formal British butler would give a grubby street child's offer to play hopscotch.

"No thank you, I don't do that."

All the toys we have gotten have been used as chew toys and quickly dismembered. But, he will play with a ball, on his own. He tosses the ball in the air, bats at it, and will chase it. His leaps and tosses are hilarious to watch, more like watching a cat play with a toy than a dog.

Often after our morning walk, Finn will play with a ball in the front yard. He runs, leaps, tosses the ball and growls at it. He pretends the ball has gotten away from him, runs laps around the yard and then pounces on it. A couple of times I have tried to toss the ball for him. He will go after it, but doesn't bring it back.

Until this morning. His ball wasn't where he left it because the yard has been mowed. I found it and tossed it out for him to play. He played with it, then came to where I was and dropped the ball. I tossed it back out, and he leaped after it. He played with if for a few minutes, then bought it back. I tossed it out again, and he chased and played with it. This time he decided the game was over and left it in the yard.



So he CAN fetch, as long as you don't want the ball back in a hurry, and he hasn't gotten bored with the game.

Wolfhound 'Rules of Acquisition'.

The number one Irish Wolfhound Rule of Acquisition is about abandoned food.

1. All unattended food left on counters or tables is considered to be abandoned, and as a public service the wolfhound should eat the food.

This food should be quickly taken and eaten out of sight, to protect delicate sensibilities.


Finn takes this rule very seriously.

Product review - Greenies Pill Pockets

I have been shoving pills down throats for most of my life. From dogs and cats, to my own child, I can get a pill down an uncooperative throat.

Enter an IW into the picture. There are a whole different problem. First, you can't reason with them, no matter what the bribe is they won't eat the pill or powder you need them too. Second, you really can't shove a pill down an IW throat, it's just too far and the jaw is too big to control. (at least for my hands)

Since Finn came with Lymes, I had to quickly figure out a method for getting multiple pills in him twice a day. I shoved them in hot dogs, rolled them in cheese, squished them in bread. It worked ok, occasionally he would spit out the pill, but for the most part I got them in him. Then I spotted these in the local pet superstore:

Perfect! Tuck the pills in the pocket, mold it closed, and in it goes. And that is exactly how it worked. Finn loves them! No matter how many pills (larger dogs have larger doses of meds, that equals multiple pills) he will happily gulp it down. I always make a point of telling him 'Good boy!' for eating his pill pocket, because I know he chews them a bit, and tastes the meds sometimes.

Today was the day I give him his monthly heartworm preventative. I shook out a pill pocket on the counter, then went to get the two pills he has to take. When I came back, the pill pocket was gone. Finn stood there licking his lips and wagging his tail. His whole posture said "I took my pills, I'm a good boy!"

I reminded him he was supposed to wait for me to give it to him, and prepared another one which he happily ate. He waited for a moment, to make sure I didn't have more for him to eat, he really really likes them. I have to admit, they smell kind of good, like a very savory soup or pate.

Finn and I give Greenies Pill Pockets two paws up!

Finn declares war.

In the last week we have had beautiful spring weather. This has brought out flowers, grass, and bugs..esp the bugs. We have a bumper crop this year of Bumblebees.

Not this kind..
This kind.

Finn takes offense at buzzy flying things, esp bumblebees. He has declared our yard a 'no fly' zone. In just the last couple of days he has killed several. His technique is excellent and well thought out. When he spots one or hears one, he goes on the alert. He scans the area and will run after them, no matter how far away. When he gets close he freezes, then with a snap! He has them!

Here is where the thinking happens. He doesn't just grab them, he does a three snap flip with them. He snatches them out of the air, and does a lightning fast snap-snap-snap then flicks them out of his mouth before they can sting or bite him. He will then go find them, and make sure they are dead.


He will then sometimes eat them. This usually results in him throwing up (especially if it was a stink bug), but to the victor the spoils I guess.

Tales of Treat bags...

When Finn and I went to the Rally clinic, I was loaned a treat bag. The bag was very handy, with a belt to go around my waist and a snap shut opening. The snap shut is an important feature if you have a wolfhound and his nose is level, if not above your waist.

I searched online and ordered one like it. The package came, and as I opened it Finn of course was right there checking out what I had. I pulled it out, and when Finn saw what it was, he immediately sat, and looked at me expectantly. He recognized what it was right away, and was ready to work for those treats!

This after one session, weeks earlier. When it comes to treats, Finn doesn't forget.

Happy Easter!