Woof woof woof woof woof woof. Woof woof. Bark woof woof woof? Woof woof woof. Bark bark bark!
Translated from Dog:
Silly hoomans don’t get why us dogs love to smell everything so much. Silly hoomans. Don’t they know how wonderful and glorious the world smells like? There are so many delectable smells out there. I just wanna jam my wet nose onto them and smell them all!
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Woof woof woof, bark woof woof. Bark bark bark, bark woof woof?
Woof woof woof, bark woof woof. Bark bark bark, bark woof woof!
Translated from Dog:
Here I stand, high on a hill,
against the warm and beaming sun.
Do Mommy and Daddy have the will,
to run up here and join in the fun?
It’s fun, it’s fun, to run up a hill,
galloping at full speed all the way.
Don’t flake on me guys, don’t be a pill,
If you don’t come, then here I will stay!
Cesar was right! Give a dog plenty of exercise (and socialization) and his behavioral issues go away!
(To be fair, any dog trainer will tell you this; I don’t mean to single out Cesar specifically.)
Here he is, sitting by a curb. It’s one of the rules we give him. When we stop at an intersection and need to wait for a walk signal, we make him sit first. When we allow him through a doorway, we make him sit first. When we play fetch with him, we make him sit first. It’s good doggie discipline.
I took Mocha for a nice hour-long walk today. Sometimes he’ll bark at bicyclists and skateboarders. Other times, he’ll growl at pedestrians and other dogs. Occasionally, he’ll lunge at someone he probably perceives is threatening, perhaps because of his protectiveness.
But during this walk, he was totally fine. Hurray for exercise and doggie discipline!
I had the leash high up on his neck and kept him by my side the entire time. This is what I do whenever I walk him for bathroom breaks and exercise. Thankfully, I’m beginning to see a change. The protective behavior is subsiding.
What does this mean? We need to walk him more often. Like every day. Our jobs don’t always allow us this free time, but we try our best. We take him on long hikes once a week and 3-mile runs about two-to-three times a week.
For some dogs, that’s probably enough. For a Jack Russell Terrier mix like Mocha, it’s not quite. And ironically, the more we exercise him, the more fit he becomes, and the more exercise he needs. On the plus side, we’re also getting more fit too. (Need to lose weight? Get a Terrier!)
Now that it’s getting nicer outside, perhaps I’ll start working in a downtown cafe and take Mocha with me. It’s a nice 1.5 mile walk away, which ought to give him the exercise and socialization he needs. And, of course, the exercise I need.
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This past weekend, we took Mocha up to San Francisco and went for a nice run in Golden Gate Park. The little boy loved it. Especially the off-leash area, though the sounds of the city put him on alert a few times.
I guess Mocha’s a country boy at heart; the noisy city just ain’t for him!
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Mocha’s loving these hikes. And I gotta give him props, despite being off-leash and running all over the place, he always comes running when called with a great big smile on his face.
There’s nothing like a happy dog running to you, lemme tell ya.
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Whine whine whine. Woof woof woof woof woof woof. Bark woof woof. Bark bark bark? Bark?
Whine. Woof woof woof. Whine whine whine.
Translated from Dog:
This is boring. I don’t want to just sit here and wait for Mommy to shop. I want to run around and play fetch. Can we play fetch Daddy? Pul-leeze?
Aww poop. I don’t like sitting and waiting. This is boring.
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Here is a magnificent specimen of mixed breeding. A true masterpiece of Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier intermingling. Exercised, athletic, and well-toned. He stands tall on the hills of California, poised to leap at a moment’s notice. He is loyal. He is playful. He is Mocha. Majestic Mocha.
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Mocha loved this. We took him for an off-leash hike today on a secluded dog-friendly trail. Initially, he remained within view, enjoying the freedom to sniff whatever he wanted.
Eventually, he got his courage up enough to wander further and further away. But not too far. He still stopped and looked back at us every once in a while, to check in on his pack leaders, I assume.
Our hike was along a straight path, so we had to double-back. For the return leg, Mocha’s bravery was at an all-time high. Maybe it was his familiarity with the trail, or maybe it was his newfound courage. Whatever it was, he frequently darted out of view, usually go to off and explore the hillsides. We called out to him a few times so he wouldn’t wander too far. Then we checked him for lice (no lice, whew).
I should have taken a picture of the big smile on his face after the trip. He was one happy doggy, lemme tell ya. Mocha sure loves these off-leash hikes.
Here’s an oddity. While walking Mocha for his regular bathroom break, I saw him sniff the dirt, dig a little, then promptly roll around in it.
The day wasn’t particularly hot. So he couldn’t have been trying to cool off.
I think he must have sniffed up a particularly delectable scent. One of my childhood dogs would regularly dig up grubs, chew them up, and bath herself in grub guts. Yea, gross. Apparently the exact motivation behind this behavior is not known, though there are many theories.
So far, I’ve only seen Mocha roll around in the dirt (or mud) to cool himself off, or to do whatever it was he wanted to do today. Guess I’d better keep an eye on him to see if he does it again.
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Woof woof woof. Woof woof woof. Woof woof rowr?
Woof woof woof. Rooowr. Woof woof woooof.
Translated from Dog:
Daddy took me for a long walk today. It was really hot outside. Doesn’t he know I have a fur coat?
As soon as I spotted some shade and cool leaves to sit in, I rushed over. Ahhhhhh. It’s so nice and cool in the shade.
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Mocha is a playful 1-year old 25 lb mutt we rescued from a local animal shelter. He loves to run, play, and eat. Don't you?
Mike is was the proud owner of this adorable little guy. We miss him terribly every day.
