When Mommy's Away, The Doggy Will Play!

Juliet was bored and lonely.  A long walk and some ball chasing would have saved her from creating this big mess!  I came home and she was so excited, running from me to the bathroom, "Come see! Come see!"  What could I do, but take a picture?

Mini-Beach Ball

I brought home a toy from work, a softball-sized beach ball, given to us at some travel show. It's just the right size for Juliet, who loves playing soccer. I blew it up and she got so excited, barking and dancing about. Then I threw it and she bounced it back to me with her little head. The air didn't last long, as she grabbed it and ran. She brought it back, flat. I blew it up again, then she ran off, had a good fight, and returned again for her toy to be reinflated.  She loved it as much flat as she did filled.

I Adore The Boy Next Door

My dog enjoys playing with our next door neighbor's little puppy, Tebow.  He is a ShihTzu, a fluffy white sweetie, not much bigger than 4.5 pound Juliet.  I guess under all that fur, he's probably 7-8 pounds and still growing.  Tebow has learned to be gentle with my little yorkie, or she'll hide between my feet.  Juliet is the fastest little runner and she loves to run and chase and be chased.  They play until both are laying on the driveway gasping for breath.   Tebow is Juliet's only friend, and when we open the door, Juliet is off like lightening, headed straight to Tebow's door to see if he can play.  It's become a problem and so we have to keep Juliet on a leash if we don't want to have to go get her, as she won't come home when we call when she's on a Tebow mission.

Come Home!

Juliet has a hearing problem when it's time to come back inside.  She happily trots away toward the neighbor's house to see if their little dog Tibow can play.  She sometimes comes back if I squeak a toy, but consistantly refuses to heed to my voice.  Love, treats, and all the positive reinforcement on earth has not changed her attitude toward taking her life in her paws with the hawks that circle our yard by day and the owls and other critters that are looking for a tasty tidbit of a dog at night. 

Juliet is a rebel and I reached the end of my rope at midnight last night when she took off into the cold night air.  I could hear an owl!  We have bears and coyotes!  I grabbed shoes and a robe, found a squeak toy, and ran out into the freezing night air to save my dog from who knows what!  She finally came to me, but not after I soaked my slippers in dew and locked myself out of the house, where everyone was snuggled in bed and fast asleep.  We got inside and there was not a happy welcome home party for Juliet.  I fussed!  I yelled at her and told her how angry I was! 

Why won't she come when I call her?  She knows the "come" command! I scolded her and threatened and rambled and growled about how very upset I was.  I was scared and lost my temper, the biggest taboo in dog training.  Today Juliet is sheepish.  She is afraid to go outside, tail tucked under.

Toileting has been such a challenge with this dog, and I am concerned that I may have crossed the line, confusing her into thinking pottying outside is bad.  She isn't excited at all about going outside and instead clings to my ankles, fearful that she is doing something wrong.  I have confused my dog and I am ashamed.