If there is one think I know I have done well, it is that I have trained one of my dads to know when I need, or more correctly, want a treat.
When my dads are eating their meal at the kitchen table and they have finished without giving me taste of their meal, I gently lay my head on my dad’s lap (this is the dad I have trained the best) and look up at him.
With a little whining, in a very few minutes, he gets up, goes to the treats area, and gives me my well-deserved treat. Mission accomplished.
Sometimes, when I want a treat, which is most of the time, I just stare at my dad, until he gives me one. I usually don’t bark if I want something I just stare. My dad has to ask me what I want. When he says. “do you want to pee?” I bark and he lets me out to pee. If he says, “do you want a treat?” I go over to where my treats are kept. If he says, “do you want to go to bed?” I run upstairs and hop on the bed. I have my dads vey well trained.
At our house we eat every meal as a family, with dads Kevin and Steve and Cato and myself. I guess our dads really don’t have another choice with us around. Usually we are a little bit better behaved than what you see in the photo above. Well, at least Cato is better behaved. Usually I am actively watching every bite that goes into my dads’ mouths. Cato is usually resting quietly under the table. But once he hears my mouth open he’s up in a flash, hoping to get some of what I had.
Even though Cato and I always eat before our dads, we are always ready for a sample of what they are eating. Sometimes we are lucky and are given a morsel to sample, as long as it is healthy for us. When my dad clears the table and puts the dirty dishes in the dishwasher I always try to preclean them as they are placed in the dishwasher.
After everything is cleaned up my dad asks “who wants to brush their teeth?” and we both run to where are treats are kept. Then he gives us our dental chews so we can keep our teeth clean.
This is our routine every time our dads have a meal or a snack. When we have company we are a little more behaved., even when our favorite food, pizza is served. Cato and I always wonder why our dads never take us out to a restaurant with them. They must think we wouldn’t behave. What do you think?
Whenever anybody has a snack everyone has to get in on the begging! Here’s Cato, Lucky and Blue, the Blue Quaker parrot looking for a snack form dad, Kevin.
Once and a while one of my dads gives me one of my favorite treats – bread with peanut butter on it. I just love peanut butter! For some reason when I eat it, it sticks to the roof of my mouth and everybody laughs. I don’t know why they laugh though!
Cattle Dog Kids 