The Tail O' Destruction

Labs are renowned for their extremely strong tails. Until recently, Himself and I had not really seen the problem. The, as if over night, Coburn's tail became a super-powered entity, able to knock a lamp from a night table in a single swing.

Since, we've had many close calls, not to mention the broken glasses, spilled drinks and knocked-over couch-side tables. And just yesterday, as I sat on the floor playing tug with young Coburn, I got smacked in the face with the Tail O'Destruction. It will remain fun and games until someone looses an eye.

New Leash Technique

I have to admit, I'm a Slice addict. At first I just thought that their "Slice is my Vice" campaign was just a clever marketing technique, but I have to say, the small amount of TV I watch is usually on that channel.

One of my favourite shows is called At The End Of My Leash, in which Brad Pattison becomes the Bratty-Dog Whisperer. Coburn is getting so strong, even though he's still small, that his pulling on the leash has actually resulted in pulled muscles both for me and for Himself.

I've been using his "umbilical" leash technique for three days now with Coburn, and it works well! You have to have a traditional leash, not one of those string-sized, retractable leashes so popular with yappy dogs worldwide. Put the leash around your waist and slip the metal clasp through the handle. Coburn seems to like it better too, and he's been an angel on our walks since I started the technique.

Tonight, I finished working out and we took Coburn for his walk to the park to run out his sillies. The usual place we run him was competely crowded, which is weird because it's a thin dirt path, surrounded by tall grass leading into a dark forest - the kind horror stories are made of. Yet, there were easily fifteen dogs with their owners.

It didn't take me long to figure out what was going on. I know Brad Pattison holds dog training classes around here. In fact, I emailed him just last night to find out how much it costs to be involved. He was leading tonight's class up the hill - our hill! Himself and I stood still, looking on, both of us a little thrilled, and yet, a little terrified. Images of Brad breaking out from the group and saying, "Your training your dog totally wrong", "You need me! Here's my card", or even "You stole my leash technique!" filled my head. I silently prayed, until the last person's head disappeared, that Coburn would behave! Please! I plead, using the psychic pet techniques I've been reading so much about. Please don't make me look bad in front of BRAD PATTISON! Oh God.

Fortunately, Brad did not bust away from the group and hand us his card. Coburn behaved, even when the emerged from the scary forest and back onto the street. Fifteen dogs, walking fifteen feet away, and Coburn didn't even blink.

He's getting a BIG cookie tonight for that one.

Forget the dog - this is fun for me!

Coburn is getting so big and strong - in a mere three weeks he has doubled in size. Each morning upon waking as I boot up my computer to start my work day, I play with Coburn a bit - throwing a ball down the hallway or playing tug-of-war with one of his many rope toys, just to get his initial morning puppy sillies out before our am walk. This morning, as I sat in my rolly computer chair and tried to tug his toy away, my chair started to move! I was shocked, so I crossed my legs in the chair and let Coburn drag me around the apartment! Forget puppy fun - this new game is a blast for me!