Since I’m not responsible for putting the pig to bed each night I stay outside from the time of feeding to the time of rest and it’s fun. I watch the animals in a new way sitting nearby. I watch the hilarity of the rats peeking out from their hiding spot to see if either the dog or I am around but if I’m not moving they apparently ignore me and as they approach the food I make a loud noise and watch them jump a foot up into the air. It’s classic entertainment.
The dog hasn’t yet realized staying still is the secret. He doesn’t seem to have very good eyesight or a smeller so he’s not really bread as a rat a dog or as a hunter. He doesn’t know to stay still until he sees one and I can see one from double the distance.
Instead he snips around their secret hiding spots deep within holes between the artifacts in the backyard. The cracks in the walls and the spaces between the furniture and the artwork. Hidden in between the rocks in the rock garden. He sees none of this from where he stands but I’m trying to get him to learn.
These dogs have never been trained to sit or stay or anything really. Some days it’s even hard to get them to come outside or come back inside. They’re like children testing the limits of their parents. In this case I’m their babysitter so they react differently to the owner.
If I say the word come with a stern voice they do but if I say any of the other words or even a more gentle come they know what I mean but they stay in bed or outside. I suppose in a way it’s a game. They are not bred on treats and are not allowed to show particular affection so there’s no true incentive to get up out of bed unless they want to or if they fear repercussions.
Beyond the stern voice or me approaching their position, they fear no repercussions. I do not believe either of them has ever been smacked or spanked.
At least not in the last 3 years or 4 years or however old they are to this home. I think one of them at least not both might have been rescued from a worse environment.
It’s early. The pig ate his food licked the plate and maybe has made his way back inside already Yes he’s resting so it’s my turn to try the blanket.
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