Nine pounds of critter-hunting instinct is hard to handle!

Setting:  Learch house, 11:30ish PM.  Brian has just come home from a night out with friends.  Baby is asleep.  Dogs are slumbering on the couch.  Only noise in the house is the East Dillon Lions cheering on their football team on TV (DVRed from earlier that evening).

Terrier button ears snap to attention:  brraaahhh-arf--arf--arf!
Puggle snout emerges from under blanket:  ruuuufff.  Ruuufff RUFFFFF

Both charge to window, ears pointed, bodies erect, barking at decibels that hearing impaired individuals could easily notice... and, with that, sound levels that could easily awake sleeping baby.

There's no calling them off.  No treat competes with mystery beast outside.  And they are relentless.

Colleen:  Brian, something is outside.
Brian:  Nothing is outside.

Kodi issues unmistakable battle cry (not a bark-- a battle cry.  If only I had gotten it on video).

Colleen:  Really, Bruschi isn't even interested in food he is so focused on the front yard... really?
Brian:  Col, look- there is nothing out there.
Colleen:  I think you should go out and see.
Brian:  What?
Colleen:  (now holding 9 pounds of flailing Rat Terrier who just wants blood and is all but clawing out of arms).  Take the flashlight and go outside.


(More)

Training Teddy to Pet Bruschi and Kodi

There is always so much attention focused on preparing dogs for baby-- and I agree-- so totally important, but also important is grooming (no pun intended) baby for proper interaction with dogs, setting boundaries and letting the two-footed munchkin know how to and not to interact with dog.

I'm no physical therapist, but its common knowledge (and sense) that Toddlers lack the refined motor skills and dexterity required to pet a dog properly.  Tiny humans are not born with that functionality.  Their gross motor skills dictate that they interact with dogs... and other things... in a mannerism that looks like hitting.  And, lets face it... it is.  Dogs do not come pre-programmed to accept that kind of interaction willingly.  In fact, it scares the bejezus out of them!  A baby's motions are to a dog what King Kong's were to the people of sci-fi New York.  In a word-- FRIGHTENING!    

Therefore, while de-sensitizing my dogs to a baby's hitting motions, I also work on Teddy's own motor coordination, teaching him how to gently pet the dogs by stroking their fur, front to back, slowly and softly.  We've been quite successful at it, and we see Teddy go up to Bruschi, on his own, and appropriately pet the dog.  We still continue the exercise, even though Teddy has shown the behavior, because I feel it is important to continually affirm as he grows and develops his muscles.

More after the jump...

Kodi's Mama Instincts

The Rescue organization where Brian and I volunteer featured a video this week of one day old puppies, complete with all the sweet little squeaks and squeals they make at that age.  So cute!   A few fans on Facebook have shared that their own female who had birthed prior to being rescued heard the squeals from the video, then started crying and searching for the babies.

I read these comments and thought back to our first few months with Teddy, and how our Rat Terrier, Kodi took to him so quickly, and almost instinctively acted as his guardian when I stepped away.

More after the jump...