Bitter Apple Cologne?

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August 17th 2010 11:14 pm
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I've told you dogs about my cousin Breeze and how she bites my ears--and legs and butt--whatever she can get in her mouth. Mom and JoAnn have both tried to stop it. They tell me, let her have it, Rethy! Tell her Rethy! It's not in my nature to teach a dog manners. If they don't know, then I roll with it or high tail it out of there. Mom protects me from really bad dogs. Breeze isn't bad, she's just a silly, pushy puppy. Besides I love her. When she really chomps down, I squeal and she doesn't bite as hard.

Tonight at school, I had to watch the class while Mom trained Breeze. It's okay if Mom helps with other dogs. I'm proud of her and like to see her helping people get their dogs under control, heeling and stuff. But tonight, she worked with Breeze for the WHOLE class. She is out there teaching Breeze stuff and praising her like she does me. I whined in protest a few times. Mom ignored me. Art made me lie down. Nobody cared that I didn't want to share my mom quite THAT much. Looks like Mom is going to continue training Breeze, so I'll have to get over it.

After everybody left, we got to play chase. As long as I keep moving and keep Breeze moving, we're fine. When we stopped Breeze was all over me--biting and stuff. Lisa said, hey, how about trying some bitter apple? Bitter apple? Hmmm Mom went and got the sprayer. JoAnn gave Breeze a spritz in her mouth to see if it would work. The humans were pleased when Breeze made that "I just bit into a lemon" face and started spitting. Mom sprayed the stuff all over me--on my ears and legs and butt. My coat was all wet and curly with bitter apple.

Breeze and I tore off running again, Breeze jumped on me to grab my ear but she didn't! Instead she just spit a little. All the humans started laughing. I thought it was pretty cool. She wasn't biting my ears! I didn't have to tussle with her anymore either. I got to decide how we would play. All of a sudden, I was in charge! HA!

The humans said I would wear bitter apple cologne whenever I play with Breeze for awhile. They say eventually she will learn to play nice and stop trying to bite me at all. I like that. Bring on the cologne!

Barked by: Dora CGC (Dogster Member)

August 18th 2010 at 9:39 am

I am glad it works for breeze, to help you train her. I am wierd and that Ilick Bitter Apple and think it is good.
By the way we forgot to tell you we like your ears trimmed it gives your face a very intellegent look.

Barked by: Rethy (reethy) CGC, PSD (Dogster Member)

August 18th 2010 at 10:11 am

Dora, I guess some dogs do like bitter apple. I'm glad that wasn't the case this time or my ears would have little holes in them...that's one of the downsides of the trim I got. There is no extra coat for a pushy puppy to chomp down on, just ear. Oww.

Barked by: Jolanda (Dogster Member)

August 18th 2010 at 4:43 pm

oh yeah... that bitter apple stuff is very helpful there ;o) It's so disgusting *yikes*
Breeze is a feisty little girl. I hope she will grow out of it. I am sure with all the training and exercise she will become more relaxed.
Have fun being the bitter apple and being in charge ;o)
Woofs to you, Jolanda and sonja

Barked by: Jolanda (Dogster Member)

August 18th 2010 at 4:45 pm

argh, fogot - also the more leave it practice with other things, distraction tricks and down stay practice you do, the better she will get..

Barked by: Rethy (reethy) CGC, PSD (Dogster Member)

August 18th 2010 at 5:07 pm

Yep, Jolanda, she is getting lots of training and practice at being a good girl. You know how we herding dogs can be, though, intelligent disobedience. Her brother Mike and some of the other dogs don't let her act like that...you know me, though, I go along to get along. Arf, REthy