Well maybe... by Charlie

I don't have a problem coming to Her when called at all.

She just has to learn how to do it properly.

This morning She had to go out at the beginning of the day and she decided to take me along as I was getting into trouble.
She was upset because I had just killed the Hedgehog with the cap by ripping its back end out, and then I put a hole in my little bed and started to eat the stuffing.

And She said I'd been dragging the Limey Hedgehog into the boot tray and got it full of mud. 
Big Sighs. I think She was ex-has-er-parated with me.

The Dexter Cattle were mooing like crazy. She had moved them from the winter pasture to the mule winter pasture. She said something about moving them to the Forest Pasture in a day after they settled down.

So out we went. She couldn't find my cord but thought it would be just fine.

It was foggy and rainy and the yard was wet.  But She said it was very pretty and she had that camera thing out.

I wasn't impressed, I had trails to find and deer pellets to look out for.

She was looking at tree stuff.

I don't care for tree stuff because I am interested in Ground Stuff.

Like deer poop.

And She thinks it is gross. Dixie says She used to yell at The Morris Dog and holler 'Icky Icky'. Well, She still does. I'm getting the idea that She doesn't think I should nibble on deer poop.

So we are working on something where I am supposed to go to Her when She calls my name.

"Charlie! Come" 
My response is, "Let me think about it."

"Charlie! Come Here!" 
Much more serious sounding. 
My response is, "Well, maybe."

"Charlie!"
Ohhh, just my name. 
My response. "Maybe later!"

And then I hear, "Charl---lie. Come. Now."
And I also hear the rustle of the treat bag.
Finally! She is understanding motivation!

I only get a tiny bit of treat and the rest of the walk I do actually come when called. Mostly.

Well, maybe She will eventually learn.
One can hope, right?

Big Adventures

Charlie is becoming much more responsive to 'Come!' or a whistle now. Thank you Dixie for being such a good teacher!
Note, Charlie still does have his cord on while we are on the trails. The cord comes off when we get into the creek bottom as it can get stuck between boulders when he is running.

Charlie makes it nearly impossible now to go for a walk without Dixie. He waits until I am all ready and as I step off the porch to head north, he bounds to Dixie's house. They do a meet and greet and ... well, Charlie won't leave her unless I allow her to come.

Tsk, tsk. I think Charlie likes her company.

Here they are in the creek. I set my camera back pack down and took my camera out.

"Dixie, you got a bigger nose, smell the pack for treats. I know she brought treats. I saw her put them in a bag."

"No treats in the bag Charlie, where did she hid them?"

"Let me think."

"I have an idea!!!"

"Let's run!"

And it worked. After they ran down into the dry run and into a pile of debris, I did call them.

They both came on the run.

And yes, Dixie got a tiny treat and so did Charlie.

Charlie had his first swimming lesson. I dropped him into a knee deep trout pond and he calmly swam over to the rocks and climbed out.

The look he gave me was priceless.

Another treat and off we went after...I dried him off a bit.

...And suddenly crossing water was no longer a huge issue for him.

Dixie led Charlie up the ridge road towards home.

Life with dogs.
It is good.

Oh and life with treats is even better.

Working with Morris, the Cookie Factor.

It is probably a good thing that Morris got 'treats' or dog 'cookies' from some of his favorite 'little' people.

Today we had to go out and do 'the wrap' photos for the end of his seventh book.

Thank goodness we didn't get snow, so the photos will look no different than those that I shot at the end of October when I began this project.

I must admit I hit a few writing snags here and there until I realized I just needed to let the characters take me along.

I got the stuffed animals lined up just so and then called the Star Morris in....

He immediately sniffed out the dog treat and then trotted off to smell something interesting on the deer trail.  I am pretty sure it was more like deer pellets.

I called him again and held another chunk of treat in my hand.

"SIT!"  I commanded.

He sat.

On top of the toys, tossing them this way and that.

Well, at least I now had his attention.

After a few more attempts the toys were set up, and Morris was starting to pay attention.

Sort of.

His mind really wasn't on working, but he did perk up any time I mentioned 'cookie'!

We got the job done and then enjoyed a stroll on the hillside.

In the house, he loves his toys, he shakes them and tosses them all around.

But in order for me to get him to pay attention to them while out in the woods...on set...so to speak, I need to have plenty of treats.

I think now I am prepared to get ready to write the last chapter.

Note to self.

Next time, make sure my pocket is full of treats!