OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Dog

They say that people look like their pets. Or wait, is it pets look like their people?  Well anyway, I know we don't look alike, but Roxy tends to be a bit (if not more) OCD than me. I don't know if I'm truly OCD and if I am, it's only slightly OCD. I'm pretty sure it's because my brain is full and I just can't remember if I've done things (like unplugged the hair straightener.) Roxy's brain is NOT full, well not yet, I'm still training her, but boy... she is OCD. It's pretty funny.  

She is on a schedule and I try to stick to the schedule as much as possible. It's important when training.  Each morning, or anytime we go outside really (outside is our potty word), Roxy has to circle something, anything, exactly three times. Three, not two, not four, but THREE. Some days it's the hot tub, some days it's a chair on the porch and some days it's just circles with nothing in the middle, but there are always circles. I've even had to block off access around the hot tub. I have no idea why she has the need to circle, she's not a herding breed. Maybe she's winding up to go through the doggie door, like a pitcher winding up his fast ball. Who knows. With each circle, I say NOPE, OUTSIDE and we circle again. Three time's the charm and usually she's out the door. But that doesn't mean she's out in the grass to go potty. Nope, now we have to stand on the patio and sniff* the air. What is that about? I don't smell anything. 

If I'm lucky, this only lasts a few seconds and she will eventually get in the grass. Prima donna doesn't want to get her feet wet. How can a water dog be so bothered by a little dew on the grass? I don't get it. Some days I have to throw a ball out into the yard and trick her to running out in the grass. She'll high tail it off the patio to chase the ball and by the time she gets across the yard, she has to take a potty break. Some days, all three balls I have in the back yard get thrown out and she's still sitting next to me on the patio looking at me like I'm why'd you throw that? Crazy dog. Just go potty already.  I have to go to work!!!!

Roxy also has OCD about her big rubber bone, but that's a story all it's own. Stay tuned for more of the Quirky K9 and the Linus Complex.

*A dog's nose has a vast number of scent receptors that heighten their sense of smell and enable them to sniff out just about anything. The longer the dog's nose, the more scent receptors and the keener the sense of smell will be.