Last week we put Athena to work while we gave our cars a much needed wash. Athena's nose art was out of control on the back windows from all of the
car rides that we've been taking her on.
Actually, we decided that Athena was not invited to the actual car washing party because we didn't want her getting all wet and funking up her delightful smell from her
recent bath (and because the front yard isn't fenced in). So, we decided to turn the car wash into a training exercise in "watching from afar." Using the
Ruffwear Flat Out Leash, we tied Athena up to the front porch and let her observe the car wash rather than be a part of the action.
 |
| Excuuuusssseeee meeee, but I wanna help toooo! |
At first, Athena didn't quite get that she was tied up and therefore couldn't go very far from the porch. She kept trying to creep closer and closer to us despite our "lay down" commands. We tried putting her
Nylabone in front of her to gnaw on while she watched us, but she wasn't having any of that. Next we tried presenting Athena with her
KONG bone, but she still wasn't interested in settling down on the porch. She REALLY wanted to be a part of the car washing action, NOT chew on some silly toys.
Finally we gave Athena her most favorite thing in the whooooleeee world (and no it wasn't a
ChuckIt! ball or a
used tissue)! Athena got a
cow knee cap of course. These babies cure all of Athena's boredom and crate issues and did not disappoint in entertaining her during the car wash. She laid down like a well-behaved dog for over an hour while we washed our cars!
 |
| The best stuff on Earth!! |
 |
| Oh, you're washing a car over there? |
Do you have any techniques for getting your dogs to "watch from afar," or do you just let them in on the action? What treats or toys do you provide for your dogs' self-entertainment during these situations?
