Apparently I’m in some kind of phase, or so Veronica keeps telling everyone. It’s called “SlyngelĂ„lder”, or rather “The rascal age”.
If I understand things right, the dog, i.e. me, suddenly turns into a wild beast. Disobeying, acting silly and forgetting the basic rules. Veronica’s precise words were “annoying”.
Now you guys listen to me: this is highly unfair and absolutely not true! Every week we go to school at our local Boxer club, I learn loads of stuff.
I am a “Talented Student” (the Teachers words, not mine). My Dad is a working champion after all, it’s all in the genes.
Just as an example; I am great at recall! I ALWAYS come back and really fast. Even Veronica admits that I am the best. I could be a gold medalist.
Ok so the real truth here is that I adore running, and with recall I get to run fast and get a reward. Veronica’s happy, I’m happy. It’s a win win!
I am very calm at home, sleep and mind my own business. (Well… pretty calm…most of the time)
I admit there have been a few very small incidents but certainly nothing like any “Rascal Age” stuff.
Like sleeping on Veronica and Dennis’s bed. You would too if you had the chance, it is so very comfy. It’s a Swedish bed, called a “HĂ€stens”, (Horse?? Really??)
BTW, “HĂ€stens” should definitely make dog beds, why don’t they?
I did play with the flowers. Now these were old and needed to go to the compost so I was merely doing Veronica a favour.
But there is one thing, a tiny “little problem”, that sort of irritates Veronica.
I simply love biting the leash, and jump around. Playing tug of war with it. I’m sure loads of dogs agree with me.
When I say “it irritates her” that’s an understatement; it simply drives her crazy. What’s the problem.? Loosen up, enjoy the fun.
Veronica did not see the “fun”…at all, “Supposedly I get too wild and wound up”, instead she decided to consult with a bunch of dog experts.
Eva, (BodfÀldt) her dog guru, and friend. Who, incidentally came here to stay with us, so she knows me.
Yvonne, her go to Boxer expert.
Stella, her sister, who’s a Veterinarian Behaviourist.
Henny, a wonderful dog trainer, clicker and search activities expert.
At the big Stockholm dog fair, she even discussed the matter with another Swedish dog expert, Fredrik Steen.
Embarrassing! Much ado about nothing!
They all gave her tons of advice. Training methods, tricks, etc etc… But guess what, I outsmarted them all!
Yep, me, Helga v d Andreashöhe, outsmarted a bunch of dog experts, and to Veronica’s great despair I continued my game with growing enthusiasm.
The fact that it annoyed Veronica so much made it even more fun
Suddenly, one dark December day, the fun abruptly ended when Veronica, used a very unethical, cowardly trick to “break my bad habit”: she bought a chain leash!
Can you believe that? Who among those, so called, dog experts gave her that, frankly, outrageous tip?
This is how we walk these days, no fun at all, I don’t even try to reach the cloth leash, what’s the point.
Veronica, on the other hand, is very happy, she tells me what a good girl I am….yeah yeah…whatever….
My thanks go to all my wonderful Dog contacts for taking the time to help Helga understand what the walk is all about. Don’t worry, we have a lot of fun, on my terms.
The Helga Chronicles 