Cesar Millan is a big proponent of letting puppies slowly acclimate themselves to new objects, people, and situations. To prepare Fred and Ethel for walking on a leash, Cesar recommends just letting them drag the leash around for a few minutes each day. It is working beautifully and they are getting more and more accustomed to their leashes.
The other morning I used this same theory with garden equipment. I want the pups to be very blase' about me pulling out the wheelbarrow, shovel, and sacks of dirt. I don't want them to get all hyped up and think it's time for a free-for-all digfest. I put the wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, and sack of cow manure nonchalantly out in the yard and then went into the house to watch. (OK, so I couldn't resist putting them in the wheelbarrow just once.) They excitedly sniffed around, climbed on, and growled at all the equipment, but after a while lost interest in it all.
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| Yeah, Ethel jumped right out! |
Then that afternoon, I went back out and started digging up a little cherry tree (should've done it on Washington's day, huh?) that needed to be transplanted. They hurried over but were afraid of the shovel in action and retired to a nearby bush to watch.
They snuck back in to the action when it was time to fill in the hole and helped me dig, but then I mulched the area with a thick layer of pine straw. As soon as the loose dirt was covered over, they lost interest again. Out of sight, out of mind.
I never fussed or told them "NO". Cesar says we must remember that dogs don't speak English and you are wasting your breath by repeating excitedly, "No, don't dig! No, don't dig!" In fact, he says that your excitement will encourage them if anything.
So, our first short, positive experience with our garden equipment! At the end of the day, they really weren't that impressed after all.
Love ya'll, Shelli
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