Wally's Protests, a 70lb Problem

Wally demonstrates determination and will in all he attempts. Whether its finding us out in a game of hide and seek, chewing, fetch, swimming or just sleeping. He knows what he wants to do and when. We discovered this quality very early on in Wally's demeanor when he employed the flop defense mechanism. The flop defense mechanism consists of stopping mid-stride, relaxing every wagging muscle and laying there. Eyes rolled whichever way will allow for a pitiful gaze at whoever is trying to subject him to what he deems an unworthy task. Places Wally employs the Flop:

• When leaving the dog park
• Leaving the house and heading towards the Jeep (I slammed his paw in the door once... Never to be forgiven.)
• When told to crate up
• When leaving the house for a walk but not heading the way he wishes.
• When leaving the building I work in on campus and heading towards the parking lot.
• When attempting to leave the park, cemetery or any place else he deems fun.

I asked an alleged dog trainer at the dog park one day (I bet he was just one of the fish people at Pet Smart) he claimed I just had to be more interesting.... Did he not see I was carrying a chuck it, bag of treats and a waterboy? What else should I be packin to get my 70lb wonder to move? I end up picking him up and carrying him. He looks ashamed, I have to field questions about what happened to my poor cute puppy... I reply "he's just an ass, that's all, no injuries, not hurt, just a stubborn ass who doesn't want to leave the dog park".

Wally's First Vacation

Merry secured the in-laws Sunriver house for all of us so Ali, Ryan, Merry and her Ryan, Carissa and I and the dogs Wally, Sara, Bentley, and Maui all journeyed forth to find some sun and relaxation for a few days. We loaded Wally and Bentley's crate into Merry and Ryan's truck, I could see Wally's head turning back and forth as he tried to figure out what was going on. He sniffed the air and seemed to settle in and enjoy the ride. At each stop both dog's heads would pop up and sniff.

I was so excited to spend time with everyone. I was really worried about how Wally would do with the change in rules and scenery. He surprised me though. He gave proper respect to Ali and Ryan's old girls and relentlessly pestered his playmate Bentley. He barked a little but not obsessively. He had one freakout at the river where he was just too excited to stop. We went on daily walk and runs with our hounds. Wally pulled some but i fixed it by making his leash into a halter. In the evenings we would release the dogs onto the golf course and play fetch with them. They sounded like a herd of horses thundering up and down the course.

Carissa and Sunnira had a great time together. Sunnira would wake Carissa up each day. She was so excited to have her cousin there to play with. She would clap and cheer when Rissa awoke. Too cute. All in all a successful trip.