[Dailydrool] Clever Mr. Harley

[Valerie]

Our Harley (of Hawaii) is a smart dog, a quick learner, and would have been a good lawyer were he human. He obeys the "letter of the law" though not necessarily the "spirit" of same. (Like Cowboy, Harley has taken "peeing outside" to a new level, going three-quarters of the way through the doggie door, such that his nebberminds have just cleared the frame, then letting go, and then backing back through the door to the inside of the house--wouldn't want to get wet on a rainy day, after all. Hey, he's "peeing outside" (on the front step.)

But his new trick is vocalizing without vocalizing. the DH does not want the dogs to vocalize to draw attention to themselves or the clock for such things as dinnertime or walktime. No barking, whining, mumbling. Nudging arms is also not allowed. (the late Commander Bo was exempt from the rules since he was impervious to them and the opposite of a learner of any speed). Giving "the look" from a distance is allowed because the DH doesn't return the gaze. but I digress.

Harley has learned to draw attention to himself and the need for action by shaking his head so that his dogtag (an ID) jingles. then when you look at him, he is smiling and jumps to his feet ready for action. Works perfectly. He's not vocalizing, and so far tag-jingling has not been outlawed. smart Harley.