Thinking On Your Feet!

If you're a parent you might be home with your kids for February Break like I am. I love spending this time with my kids - we try to do a fun activity each day, even if it's just getting outside for some sledding here in our own yard. Monday we tried our hand at ice skating and yesterday we hit the bowling alley and arcade!

Today, before heading out on another adventure, I brought our three dogs outside to play and go to the bathroom. Due to the above freezing temperatures and some rain, our driveway is mostly glare ice with patches of gravel peaking through. We carefully made our way to the "potty spot" which still gives me eyes on both the house and the top of the driveway near the road. The dogs head off into the woods as per usual and I contemplate what a warm, beautiful day it is! The sun is out, the mountains look blue in the distance, and I notice how good the warm air feels on my skin. Spring is around the corner for sure (after some more snow and freezing temps of course!).

As quickly as I let my guard down, it comes right back up as I suddenly become aware that the electric company vehicle is pulling into my driveway! Immediately I bring my eyes to the dogs who are meandering their way back to me - thank goodness! I reach for my trusty treat pouch and get really excited - "COME ON GUYS!! GET SOME TREATS!!" and I start running as calculated and carefully as I can over icy spots and small rivers of running water to the backyard. Thank goodness the dogs chase after me with excitement as I peak over and notice the truck still bombing down the driveway! I don't know if the dogs just didn't notice the truck or if my excitement was more important to them, but either way I'm sending up a prayer because all the dogs follow me over a small hill and we tuck down behind it out of view of the truck.

As the dogs seem oblivious to what's going on, I start doing some tricks with them all; first sit, then I bring the treats down slowly to keep their focus on the food. Then I tell them to lay down and wait until they are all settled before throwing treats in the snow in front of them all. I keep looking over to see how long I have to do this and still a little shocked that my plan worked like magic! You see, Stryker is a very big boy at 140 pounds and can be hit or miss with strangers/delivery trucks/the mailman, etc. He came to live with us almost two years ago when he was 4 and although we have made amazing progress with him (I have a great "delivery man" routine with him while we are in the house, but outside is a whole new ballgame!), I had zero desires to take any chances with him as his unpredictability is what makes things challenging. Not to mention, with a driveway full of ice, there was always the potential that the truck wouldn't have been able to stop if my dogs ran in front of it. There was a lot to think about in that millisecond before I started running!

I keep changing things up on them to keep their interest until I see the truck driving away and I feel like I can breathe again. Whew! Now that I was really awake, it was time for some quality time with my kids, and we head back towards the house.

Difficult dogs make better trainers out of us. They force us to keep up, make quick decisions, and put us in some uncomfortable positions that force us to grow. So if you're going through some challenging times with your pup right now, just remember you're a better dog owner for going through the mud with them and there will be rewards on the other side of it all. Don't give up and remember to look back and see how far you've come now and then!