Something happened last night that has me questioning my preconceived notions about our pets. Emma (our little Yorkie) woke me up at about 1:30. She was taking her paw and hitting it repeatedly against her water bowl so that it would knock into the wall and make a racket. She wanted a drink and she's discovered that if she does that I'll get my butt up and get her one. As I'm stumbling around in the dark trying to find the water faucet it hit me - she has me trained. We think that we're the ones who've conditioned them to sit or stay or potty outside. But in reality we're the ones conditioned to pet them when they nudge our hand with their cold little nose or let them outside when they bark at the door.
Maybe we're both a little trained, and that's probably okay. I mean they have to communicate with us somehow since we can't have a conversation. So, do your pets have you trained?
Instigator
11 comments:
No pets. And no desire to be trained by any right now.
Funny, though, how the training seems to work both ways.
I live to serve -- my animals. Of course they all have me trained. My clock revolves around their needs and wants. I get to do human stuff in the time in between my conditioned feeding, walking, and watering. But, wouldn't trade them for the world!
Yes. Beyond redemption.
I try to pretend AC's pets don't exist. I've trained myself not to think about the rodents living in my house...
Oh yes. We are well trained at our house. Our collie does the same thing with her water bowl. We also play a lot of ball around here whether we want to or not. My throwing arm is getting better every day. :-D
Yes Sherry. My arm is definitely in better shape from throwing a tennis ball. My dobie will kill for a tennis ball!
I'm stubborn and make them work for what they want lol. I currently have 4 cats but have had up to 7 and 2 dogs. They try to get me up in the morning but I'm a night owl and even if they lay on my back/stomach and pat my face or lick it, I have learned to sleep through it. But if my foot hits the floor, it's all over lol.
When you have an indoor pet, it's essentially a parent/child relationship. You got the Yorkie water the same way you'd have gotten either of your children a drink of water in the night. Because pets depend on us so completely for their survival, they learn how to communicate their needs to us, whether it's for food, water, or affection.
Am I a fool for my dog? Oh, yes. Completely. And it's worth it.
No pets. And like PM, no desire to be trained.
When housing breaking our dogs, I trained them to ring a bell I had at the door. The dogs were pretty easy to train, however, the tough part was to train the kids to get off the couch and let the dogs out.
I have a sign that says, "My dog is not spoiled, I'm just well trained."
PC's Mom
Buddy has us trained. We inadvertently taught him that when he barks, we let him in the house so that he won't irritate the neighbors. Now he just stands at the door and barks till we get up and let him in.
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