Today’s post is brought to you by the letter P. Playful. Puppy. Persistent. Pharaoh.
Hey, BCB readers!
Pharaoh here. Sorry I’ve been MIA for a couple months, but I was doing important stuff like chasing my tail, taking naps and gaining 20 or so pounds.
Oh, and that evil one—Kelsey? Yeah, well, she also took me to the vet for the ole snip-snip. To her credit, it wasn’t her decision, and I’m trying not to hold a grudge.
I’ve also been learning new commands so I can ace advanced training when I go back to the CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) folks in a about a year. I’ve got Sit, Down, Kennel, Release, Okay, Let’s Go, Wait, and Dress down cold. But now I’m working on Bed and apparently, Kelsey’s about to try to sneak Heel and Side in on me. My work here is never done. (Can you hear my doggy sigh?)
Oh, and if you see me out and about? You’ll know I’m working if I have my cape on. Always ask before you trot over and start mooning on me. Now, I love it and will try to affectionately maul you. But Kels, she gets a little testy when I show my love that way. So wait until I’m got my butt firmly planted on the ground and she gives you the go-ahead. And if I can’t control myself and start trying to jump on you, back away. Continuing to pet me sends me the wrong message 
.
Another tidbit…if you see a dog like me with a halter-type collar that loops around the nose? People, it ain’t a muzzle. It’s called a Gentle Leader and it’s a better way to train and calm high-energy pups like me. Yes, I can breathe. Yes, I can eat. No, I’m not being tortured even though I paw at it occasionally.
Lots of folks ask Kelsey how hard it’s gonna be to give me up once it’s time for me to return to CCI. Well, no doubt, the whole family will probably weep for days. After all, I’m intelligent, handsome, and…oh, yeah, I eat poop every so often. Seriously, we’ll all probably mope around for a little while. But that’s still over a year away. I have tons more to learn before then!
Until next time, BCB readers, keep your nose to the ground and your tail in the air.
Big licks,
P-
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Today is Girl Scout Birthday Day. I say if we’re gonna celebrate with the Girl Scouts, we should all have a box of Thin Mints!
Training sure teaches patience to the owner. We took our puppy (who is now 3) for training so we could all enjoy each other more. Lacy has several commands down but she still has a hard time controlling her enthusiasm for new people. She looks like a dog having a seizure when people come to the door. She tries so hard to remain sitting but her whole body shakes and wants to lunge and lick. Thank goodness for gentle leaders because we would never have fun on walks either. Lacy and Pharoah would enjoy each other it sounds like.
Amy –
Remind me what breed Lacy is??
Believe me, I would always take a puppy to training from now on. Probably not as much as Pharaoh will have, but basic obedience, for sure! Especially for our lunge and lick kinda dogs! How does Lacy react to her Gentle Leader??
Kels
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
Lacy is a golden lab and looks more like lab than golden. The rescue knew that her mom was a golden lab mix but not sure about the father. She is so much better with the gentle leader than anything. She is a puller and that helps so much. Although as we are walking she has the ability (while not making me slow down) to occasionally rub her face in the grass to try and take it off. She can get it off if we are not paying attention (like if I am caught talking with a neighbor and she is rolling in the grass). The other day I was complaining that she only gets into things when I am around but not my husband (who is definitely her alpha). My daughter said, “It’s because she knows you are a big softie and will give her attention, Mom.” She is so right. Lacy plays me so well.
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Amy – that’s right! Don’t know how I could’ve forgotten since it sounds like Lacy and Pharaoh are a match made in heaven.
I think all labs/retrievers must be pullers!
And I’m do glad to hear Lacy also rubs her face in the grass because P tries to do that a couple of times on each walk.
We went to training last night. Well, let’s just say P wasn’t having his finest hour (always happens when the instructor comes around!) and I finally had Tech Guy take over.
Hugs to Lacy!
K-
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
Oh, Pharaoh, you’re such a good baby!
The terrorist had six months of training. Not quite sure what happened. LOL. He does sit and march right into his crate when asked so I’ll give him points for that. The lunge and lick cannot be fixed in him. I’m convinced it’s a defect! I’ll blame it on that because apparently his owners failed miserably when it came to breaking him of the Wheaten Greetin’.
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LOL – nah, the Terrorist is just his own man and knows what he wants (primarily the toe of Kelsey’s boots and some other person’s…ahem…other stuff).
Paw bump to Buddy!
P-
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
No licks after poop eating, okay??
We love you, Pharaoh, and no doubt that’ll be a super-hero cape when you graduate to do your CCI duties for some lucky person.
Hugs and treats,
xoxo
Nancy and your farm doggy friends up here in Virginia
Nan -
I would never lick after poop eating! What do you take me for? (Oh, yeah, a DOG!)
Tell H & D to chase some tail…er…feathers for me!
P-
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
Aww, you’re a sweet boy, Pharaoh! How about this? I’ll give you a treat, and I’ll eat a Girl Scout cookie. Then I’ll give you a treat, and I’ll eat another Girl Scout cookie. I have five boxes. This game could last a long time!
Tracy -
Where have you been my whole 6-month life?? I’m am packing up my fanny pack and Eukanuba kibble right this second and will be taking the Greyhound (okay, sounds bad) north this very afternoon.
Game on!
P-
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
I grew up with a police trained German Shepherd. She was gentle and sweet, unless she sensed a problem. Hair on the back of her neck would stand up and teeth bared, very impressive. We lived in the city and never had a problem.
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Mary Jo -
German Shepherds can be SO intimidating. Much more so than a yellow lab – LOL. We haven’t really had a test of P’s protective instincts yet, and these dogs are supposed to be bred for very low aggression.
Kels
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land
Yay for Kelsey for taking on the training! And yay for Pharoah for being such a good sport about it…especially the old snip-snip. Good luck, Pharoah
Kristina -
Thanks for stopping by. I’m pretty much in one piece again (no thanks to HER). With enough kibble and lovin’, I’ll forgive her in time!
Doggy kisses,
P-
Kelsey Browning recently posted..The Latest from Pharaoh-land