Considering our four-legged companions
- Laura Moore: Housebroken
- May 2, 2023
- 504
We are the proud parents of two dogs: one a miniature Schnauzer and the
other a little terrier mix. Both dogs are smart, and I have to admit both are rather spoiled.
We started out with very good intentions when our male Schnauzer was adopted. I worked very hard to teach him all the proper canine manners such as sit, stay, come and lie down. He learned quickly and followed commands very well — until the little female terrier joined our family.
She knew commands but preferred to do as she pleased. Because she came to us after being a stray, we were very lenient with her. Our big dog took note and decided to follow her lead. As a result both our canine children pretty much do as they please. However, they are very effective guard dogs, as no creature human or other comes close to our place without their presence being announced by noisy fits of barking.
Despite her smaller size, our little female rescue is the boss dog. She is smarter than our big dog and rules unchallenged. For instance, if he is curled up on the couch and she wants his warm spot, she will begin to chew on one of his bones. That drives him to jump down and grab it from her, and she then immediately jumps up onto his warm spot and settles down for a nap. There he sits on the cold floor, and his place on the couch is taken. Happens every day!
Our house loves her dogs. They are her guardians and protectors. Both pups are housebroken and let us know when they need to go outside. Just wish we could designate a certain area of our lawn as a place for doggy business. I wonder if there is any hope of our dogs learning to use a litter box. Taller Half assures me there is no such hope. Sad.