JustJessie

Puppy School Drop Out

I haven't posted about Copper's puppy class Saturday for a lot of reasons.  I guess you all deserve to know the truth, though.  The low-down-dirty truth is this: we were kicked out on our first day.  I'm only half joking.  Turns out that Copper is a very "unbalanced" dog.  Which essentially translated means I'm a horrible dog owner.  I CAN'T HELP IT!    I don't actually like the dog, and according to the doggy experts, he can sense that when he's around me.  Of course I think he's adorable, and he is unusually smart when it comes to learning tricks.  He can sit, fetch, lay, and look you in the eye on cue.  The problem is the times between cues.  You know, when he's jumping, biting, snarling, digging, clobbering, and running in circles around us at the speed of light.  None of these things would be a problem, except that he is at face level with Grant, so when he nips, he nips at Grant's face, and when he lays on his back to be petted, his claws catch Grant across the face. The thought of him outside with us around the pool this summer terrifies me.  He could knock Grant in the pool so quickly.  It makes me shudder just to think about it. 

Then Sunday I was working with Copper, and he started acting crazy, because he didn't want to obey.  And he bit me.  HARD.  It didn't break my skin, but I was bruised and swollen.  I told Jeff I was done.  Copper had to find a new home, and it had to be someone without children. 

Now comes the good news.  The first day Jeff started spreading the word with his patients that Copper needed a home, he got one!  It couldn't be more perfect.  His new owner is a single man in his late fifties with a 100 acre farm.  His dog died a few years ago, and he is now ready to replace him.  He wants a dog to live mostly outside and follow him around his land everyday!  Copper will get SO much attention and exercise, which are the two things he needs to become a balanced dog.  Our 45 minute walks and leftover attention were not enough for him, but his new life should meet his needs much better.

Y'all say a prayer for us Saturday, because all my boys will be very upset.  Especially Grant, because he loves Copper most and doesn't understand the danger in keeping him.

In Case You Were Wondering...

... We do still have a dog.  You haven't heard much about Copper-dog lately, because he is a maniac.  For a while I was contemplating selling him to someone with more experience, someone who could give him the training he deserves.  When I ran this idea by the three boys in my life, there was a general uproar and more than a few tears.  I didn't realize how much they were all attached to him already, especially since he had spent the last couple of months outside except at night. 

So, I went to the pet store and signed him up for puppy classes, which start this Saturday.  They are supposed to address a lot of the behaviors that REALLY drive me bonkers.  Then I went to the library, and saw the Dog Whisperer's book.  The few times I have watched his show, he has totally amazed me.  I am about halfway through the book, and already Copper and I behave differently toward each other.  It's like he's an entirely different dog.

These days, rather than fantasizing about ways I could end him and make it look like an accident, I spend my time thinking of ways to make a part of the family.  I would say that's progress, don't you think?