Debbie Affects Duncan

It's so funny to see how Duncan acts differently because Debbie is around. There's just subtle little things that I've started to see. Like brushing. Duncan certainly is no saint yet, and definitely is not carefree about being brushed. However, the first time I brushed Debbie (who was a complete angel when I did) Duncan watched closely. He saw that Debbie did not jump or snap or react negatively in any way. When it was his turn and she watched him, it was like he didn't want her to see him be a baby about it when she had been so good. He was not happy about it, but he laid down and did not move, jump or snap at all. Can you say ego?

And then there's being in the backyard. Duncan has never really seemed to care for me being out side with him. He seems to prefer to have the yard to himself. However, Debbie wants you to go out with her, and stays close to you when she does. She'll follow me all the way up the hill (and if you haven't seen my yard, it's a big hill) she'll find a spot to potty and then will be right back by my side. Sometimes she likes to play chase. She'll crouch down and dart away. I'll chase after her a bit before we go back inside. Duncan on the other hand stays out of the way and tends to stay on the opposite side of the yard. If I were to chase Duncan at all, the poor little guy would be terrified of me, even though he's seen me playing with both Debbie and Hannah that way. But, this weekend he started to come up to me out in the backyard while I was with Debbie. At one point he even let me pet him, something he rarely let's me do when we're out there.

Both of them are also becoming masters of coming into the house right away. Duncan has been getting better and better, and rarely does anything but come right inside with me holding the door open now! As for Debbie, the fireworks this week seem to have cured her of the nervousness she seemed to have in coming through the back door. At least they were good for something. But now I'm having trouble getting both of them to go outside they're so afraid of the "crack" of bottle rockets still going off in the neighborhood. Debbie had her very first accident the day after the 4th because she didn't want to go outside. Poor kids.

But, progress is being made. Duncan is getting ready to start an obedience class hopefully pretty soon here. There is one on Thursdays starting soon, but I'm going to be out of town part of the time so I'm not sure if we'll start then or not. This will be very good for Duncan!