We have an interesting phenomenon going on at our house (and apparently we're not alone in this country). The dog does everything the alpha male (Derek) says and nothing that the beta female (me, and I'm making that beta stuff up) says.  Case in point:

When I say "Maggie, go to bed" (while pointing earnestly at the crate) she stands there and looks at me.

When Derek says "Maggie, go to bed" (and he's not even in the same room) she runs in dutifully.

So…I, being the smart cookie that I am, now call for Derek and say "Honey!  Tell her to go to bed" and he then yells "Maggie, go to bed".  And she goes. It's sad, but true.  

Recently, all I have to do is yell "Honey – tell her!" and she runs right into the crate before Derek can even say "Maggie,…".

So this morning I tried a little experiment.  Derek is out of town.  But I needed Maggie to go to her crate. So instead of saying "Maggie, go to your crate" (for which I would have gotten zero response), I said "Derek, tell her to go to bed!" and she ran right in.  

Works every time.

Like a charm.

Except now my 3-year old is confused and says to me, "Derek is not here!?!".

"That's right, dear, but she doesn't know that."

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Just one of the hundred Maggie pics taken by Caleb with my Iphone 

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5 responses to “Doggie Fake-Out”

  1. Dana Avatar
    Dana

    Totally cracked me up! I can so relate–not only my dogs but my children respond in a similar manner 🙂

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  2. marlys lott Avatar
    marlys lott

    HA HA HA HA HA SOOO funny.

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  3. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    This is so funny! I need to try it with Reilly.

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  4. Emily Crane Avatar
    Emily Crane

    This cracks me up…we have the same type of thing happening in our house…just not quite so bad. Ours just happens to be with the command “come” that Sadie is delayed a little in responding to me but comes right away to Bret.

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  5. Liv Avatar
    Liv

    LOL, that is hilarious!

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