Odd pet behavior.

[Moab]

I finally figured out where I can leave a cup outside. Without my dogs immediately destroying it the second I go inside to get something. The barbecue.

Normally I'd sit in our patio furniture at a normal height patio table. And if I forgot and went inside without taking my cup of whatever with me. My dogs, especially Giles the border collie, would immediately knock the cup or 20oz carafe I use for coffee, on the ground and drink all of it. Giles especially likes coffee. Not that he needs anymore energy. Lol. If he knocked off my sugar free Crystal Light he would barely touch it. But coffee or milk is a real prize around here. While in the house I have to guard it. And any cup of anything gets up ended if not guarded every second. 

But no amount of consequences has cured either the border collie or 80lb german shepherd of not drinking out of or knocking cups over and devouring the contents.

But our patio cushions took a beating this winter. And I have a new barbecue placed up under the patio. And ended up rearranging my sitting placement outside. Next to the barbecue.

This was mostly due to the fact that my year long switch from cigarettes to a vape. Had led me more inside. And getting my vape down to only 3mgs of nicotine from 50mgs. Ended a few weeks ago. When I had a bad day and found an old half a pack stashed on top of an armoire. And started smoking outside again. Ya. I'm pretty crushed too! It had been a year. And I was almost ready to ditch the vape. So that battle will begin again. Shortly. 

But ever since moving next to the barbecue. And placing my coffee and water cups on it. The dogs have not gone near either. Even when I go inside for fairly long periods of time.

I think the reason is they respect the barbecue. Because whenever I am around or they are - and its hot. They know from the heat and my few corrections to stay away from it. My german shepherd is even afraid of it. And has been since a puppy. She will immediately go into her crate whenever I fire up the barbecue.

But anyway. Its a nice respite from having to eagle eye my every cup of coffee. Or having to remember to carry it with me. No matter how tiny the amount of time I go inside.

It's interesting how dogs behave. Sometimes you spend months trying to train or alter a set behavior. And its often that one tiny clue that gives you the edge. And suddenly they are doing exactly what you wanted them to do. Or not. Lol.

You cannot view this attachment.

[echo83]

Whenever my Dad would light the Weber grill, our dog would always circle around it in the hopes of snagging a burger, steak or hot dog off the platter before it was cooked. The platter was usually within a few feet of the grill, on a table. It was one of a few times I could be convinced that dogs were descended from wolves. 

So my dad would take a single piece of lit kindling, and put it on the bricks next to the grill. It acted like a force field every time. He said the smoke and the chance of getting burned would keep an animal away from cooking meat. He said it with such conviction, like he'd spent his childhood with his back to the fire, warding off packs of wolves from a cooking dinner. 

[Moab]

Whenever my Dad would light the Weber grill, our dog would always circle around it in the hopes of snagging a burger, steak or hot dog off the platter before it was cooked. The platter was usually within a few feet of the grill, on a table. It was one of a few times I could be convinced that dogs were descended from wolves.

So my dad would take a single piece of lit kindling, and put it on the bricks next to the grill. It acted like a force field every time. He said the smoke and the chance of getting burned would keep an animal away from cooking meat. He said it with such conviction, like he'd spent his childhood with his back to the fire, warding off packs of wolves from a cooking dinner.

Lol.

[NT2C]

Your dogs and the BBQ brought this to mind, Moab:

[flybynight]

My two dogs would never be far from the grill. Micah would lounge on the porch acting all dis interested. Riley would be all underfoot waiting for that hot dog or burger to drop accidentally. Or even the grease from the bugler flipper.  


Micah


And Riley. When they were younger

We brought Micah home today. For the last time. He's sitting on the shelf next to his bud Riley. Whose sitting next to that lunatic cat Tiggr. Who suddenly died four weeks ago from feline corona , (FIPV). That cat was always in trouble. We've decided ,in  the spring to scatter their ashes on a windy day. So they can roam again like they did when they were young. Good Dogs . Never  truer friends

[Moab]

I'm so sorry, flybynight. I've had to put many dogs and cats to rest. And its never easy.

I had an american bobtail cat (literally looked like a bobcat. they dont have tails either) named Rufus. We named him that because he acted so much like a dog. He was a truly unique animal. He died a couple years ago. Suddenly at only about 11 yrs old.

I loved that cat more than any cat I'd ever had. And maybe more than most of the dogs. He was just such soulful animal. He always hung out on top of my desk with me.

I can't find a pic. But he looked most like this.

You cannot view this attachment.

This is him. Lol.

You cannot view this attachment.

After he died. My wife and son gave me Sonny for my birthday.

You cannot view this attachment.

This is my last batch of dogs. The german shepard puppy is still with us, Kali. She's 80lbs now. The french bulldog was Buddha. And the little yorkshire terrier was Carmen. (Thats our old ugly couch we got from my mil. And left out on the patio where no one could see it. Lol.) I spent every morning and evening with them like this. Still do except its Kali and our border collie Giles.

See the intermediate weight sleeping bag from the MSS? Nothing but the best for my dogs! Lol.

You cannot view this attachment.

Really sorry for your loss, flybynight.