I'm just cheering on my fellow k9s

So we ventured out to the doglympics a few weeks ago to watch the competitions.  It was the first warm day in a while, the sun was out and the dogs were ready to get out of the house. I brought Roxy and her sis Mollie out for the adventure. There were lots of people and lots of dogs out for the doglympics.  Of course my two wanted to say hi to everyone as they always do, but were surprisingly quite.  They weren't barking or chattering, just sniffing around and pulling a lot.

One of the competitions was dock diving.  There was a long stage-like dock that led into a big inflatable pool.  There were two competitions while we were there: distance jumps and height. We sat off to the side of the park on one of the benches to watch.  This is where it got funny.

So Roxy watched very attentively as each dog got on the dock and what given a "pep talk" by their handlers. Still she only watched and was very quite. So serious.  Then the dog on the dog took off and jumped out 5, 6, 7 feet out into the water.  Roxy went ballistic.  She started barking and barking and barking — like she was cheering them on. As soon as the dog was out of the water she was quite again.  Then for the next dog — bark, bark, bark.  It was hilarious.  People were laughing at her.  It was amazing that she knew when to cheer. 

Secretly I think she wants to dock dive.

The Linus Complex

We all know about Linus from the Peanuts cartoon and his obsession with his blanket right?  He'd carry that light blue baby blanket, with its tattered corners everywhere.  It was always with him.  In every cartoon episode, in every funny paper... it was with him.  

Well my quirky canine, Roxy, is experiencing the "Linus Complex", however, her "blanket" is a big black rubber bone.  We refer to it as the "leggy" as she is a bit possessive with chew bones and I don't want her to associated this rubber toy as a "bone." The leggy is in her mouth 24-7. Unless she's eating or sleeping, but it's never far away even then.  When sleeping, it's under her paw on her pillow and when eating, it's typically by her side.  

She even carries it with her to the back door when it's time to go out.  I don't let her take it out (because I don't want to have to track it down in the back yard), but she leaves it at the door. Then when she comes running back in, she can pick it up in one fell swoop without skipping a beat.  No stopping required. Kind of like when we picked up the rock while playing hop scotch. It's an art really. Well maybe a bit of an obsession.  Roxy is, as you know, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Dog). 

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.

Introducing the Quirky Canine!

Who is the Quirky Canine you ask? Well, let me tell you about this funny girl. I rescued a 2 year old yellow lab eight months ago and it's been an adventure ever since. Her name is Roxy. 65 pounds of yellow fur and vigor. She does the funniest things and I wanted to get the stories down in writing before I forget them. 

As I witnessed all of these quirky antics, I couldn't help but laugh. I hope they come across in writing as hilarious as they did in person.  If not, then maybe if you too have a quirky canine, you will see you are not alone.  I'll share the funny stuff that's happened up to now and more as it happens and it happens a lot.  Everyday is something new! 

You need to know... I'm a certified dog trainer, so I'm around dogs all the time.  So not only will I share the capers of my Roxy, but from time to time, I'll share stories of some of her friends.

So come back from time to time to read more about the Quirky Canine.