He's So Excited!

Feef Speaks: I'm just a little dog! When I take mom to work, we see a lot of other dogs. Most of them try to maul me. Not in a mean way, they're just just way too excited. They need to get out more. As they stand, I wish they'd STAY home. I try to show them the right way to greet a princess like myself, but most of them are jumping, barking, and lunging, and by no means are they heeding their people! Luckily, my mom spends a LOT of time talking to their people, and shows them the right way to meet me. They usually apologize for their dog's beastly behaviour, and tell mom "He's just so excited to come here". Well la-de-da! I get pretty excited when mom gets ready to go and grabs my fifi-cave but I don't go around mauling everyone! Mom taught me that when I see another dog she wants me to sit first, I think because it helps that other dog be a little less excited. I, of course, could really care less if I get to sniff noses with most of the ruff-raff she exposes me to but it pleases her, and helps her train those other dogs. Nice stuff that I get tossed under the bus so other dogs can learn! Plus, when I do act nice she gives me a yummy little piece of goodness to nosh on! I guess that makes it worth it although there's occasionally a whirling dervish dog that I simply don't want to have anything to do with. Mostly mom will understand if I really don't want to meet them.

I try and be nice but sometimes these other dogs can be just downright irritating. Mom says "Feef, say hello" so I very nicely walk over and sniff their stupid nose, and they get just a bit too sniffy. I let them know with a snark that being too friendly just is NOT on my itinerary! They back up fast! Usually it's the puppies that are the worst. The little bohemians NEED snarked! I don't go overboard, just a quick "yarrrgh" usually puts them in their place and gives me room to breathe.

I think more dogs need to learn to say hello. I'm happiest with the dogs who will also sit when they see me, and who approach slowly and respectfully. All it takes is some practice! So people, if you're reading this, don't let your big oaf of a dog come running up to other dogs without asking if it's ok. Teach your dog to sit and wait to be invited over. Leash manners are a must! They always tell mom "Oh he gets so excited here. He doesn't act like this at home." I want to cough up my kibble when I hear this. I'm thinking to myself "Well if you'd bring him out in public more often than vaccination day and teach him how to act, meybe he'd be a bit more mannerly!"

So, my mission as a training demo dog is to bring manners to the dog world, one snark at a time. To learn the finer art of teaching your dog to say hello, sign up for a class with my mom. She's awesome at teaching people how to have a more polite dog! After all, she's done wonders with Turbo. He actually listens when she tells him to leave me be and if you knew Turbo, you'd know that is impressive!