That Darned Dog!

Revy the Goldendoodle is now 7 months.  He has a busy daily schedule of causing trouble, mischief making, and refusing to be trained.  I understand from other dog owners that dogs' brains don't function properly until they are well over a year, and in some cases as long as five years.  Greeeaaaaat. 

Revy has explored as many methods as possible to drive me crazy on a daily basis.  He has stolen all manner of shoes and items of laundry.  He has chewed slippers, underwear, toys, and more.  He has eaten food that was not his on many occasions.  He has destroyed papers of all kinds; from magazines to homework to important documents.  He even ate almost an entire batch of muffins he pilfered while they were cooling on the counter.

If I have a treat in my hand, however, he is the best behaved dog ever documented.  He has incredible self control when commanded, and he is very smart when learning new commands.  I guess I'll have to have a pocket full of treats for training every minute of our day! 

A lot of my time and energy is spent on Revy-related things.  I have to take him on two or more walks per day or he whips into a frenzy.  Feeding and snacking is very important to him.  I brush him almost daily, bathe  him monthly, and have committed to grooming him (haircuts) regularly.  Also, I have to spend a certain amount of time training him per day.  Whew!  Who knew a dog would be so much work?  And let's not forget cleaning up messes  he makes - both from things destroyed, and things previously digested by him. 

Slurping up remnants of our first experience with Bannock

Out for a walk at the Japanese gardens after the beach

Looking so dapper after his professional grooming

Enjoying the spray park

Playing with Caylie

Demonstrating a spectacular "sit" and cheering for Kent on his race

The children are enjoying having a dog, and he does show his affection for us through slobbering on us and licking us.  And we still cling to the hope that someday he will be a well trained, well behaved, loving member of our family.  Fingers crossed.