Observant much?

Photo taken in October while on a walk with Casey (left) and Chester

Being observant is something dogs do, probably most of the time without us noticing. We all have busy lives and go about our business. They watch our actions, our body language. They pay attention to our tone of voice and our words. That is, however, the way they learn our expectations. Gaining their attention is paramount to successful training.

The first few months after we adopted Chester, I wasn't sure what he watched or if any of it was registering. His blank stare indicated that he wasn't always present, or in the present. Casey tried, unsuccessfully, several times a day to get his attention. Chester's eyes held dark secrets of neglect and abuse and his night time screams and panic attacks were testament to that.

Then one day his eyes lit up when he looked at me - his world, and ours, changed. He seemed to notice everything. He began actually playing with his stuffed animals (I still refer to them as his dolls because of the way he pampers them). During that same time Chester began watching Casey more closely when she interacted with us, particularly during our evening rough-house sessions. Now he doesn't appear frightened by our tug-of-war or chase games. In fact his eyes light up and he comes close to joining in the fun. Watching him, you can see it in his eyes and body language - he wants so badly to participate but just isn't there quite yet.

Since Chester recently chose to inhabit the basement bedroom as "his" space, we have adjusted our lifestyle to blend with his. Over time I'm sure Chester will make another adjustment, so the temporary use of the basement family room instead of my upstairs office is a small sacrifice. Not only does Chester evidently prefer the space itself in Glenn's bedroom, apparently he likes the television in that room. He's close to the food and snack source (a small room just off the family room). Although he dislikes having to go outside for potty breaks, his chosen hangout is also very close to the slider door to the back yard. I'm sure he thinks that if he must go outdoors in this wet and cold weather, at least he'll be quickly back to his warm bed, his stuffed animal friends and the TV.


We're all creatures of habit, but perhaps I need to change my routine a bit. Since I've settled  into retirement, my wardrobe has become too predictable or Chester has now become too observant. In the morning after I have a few cups of coffee, I change from pajamas into comfy clothes. Usually that's a pair of pull-on, string-tie pants I can wear on the treadmill or for a long walk with the dogs. That's accompanied by a baggy t-shirt and my favorite jogging shoes. After my shower or bath the fashion statement of the day is a clean pair of baggy pants or yoga capris and a t-shirt.


Athletic socks are the footwear around the house. I rarely put shoes on unless there's a need, like going outdoors when it's wet. Making a quick walk to the car for something or to take the garbage out on dry pavement doesn't necessitate shoes in my world. (I can still hear my parents "Kathy, put your shoes on.") When I do wear shoes now they each have a purpose: loafers to take Chester outside to potty or to walk down the street to the mailbox, or those short trips outside on wet pavement - soft black tie shoes when leaving the house to shop or for other errands - jogging shoes for the obvious.

The same holds true with my choice of shirts and jackets. We keep our home at a comfortable temperature so I rarely wear more than short-sleeved t-shirts indoors. This time of year when I leave the house on errands I prefer a nicely fitting shirt and a parka that's warm and waterproof. When I'm only leaving for a few minutes, like to take Chester out back to potty, I wear a lighter weight hoodie. Pants are basic in my wardrobe as well. Baggy, comfortable ones around the house or to exercise or walk dogs. Nice jeans whenever I leave the house for trips longer than a walk to the mailbox.

Not only are my fashion choices predictable, but Chester's reactions have been as well. When he sees, or hears the car keys, he approaches me. He loves to ride, anywhere and any time. Also, when Chester sees me with his halter and/or leash, his body language shows excitement and he smiles and approaches, ready to go. Those two instances have been the only ones causing Chester to approach, other than the words biscuit, bone or chicken, which he knows to be treats.

Yesterday afternoon I was chilled when I got to the basement, so I went back upstairs and returned wearing my lightweight hoodie. When I approached to pet Chester, he ran away, over the top of the bed to the other side and back. I hadn't made a noise or movement that would have startled him. I didn't say anything to him at all so it wasn't anything in my voice that disturbed Chester. Then it dawned on me ... I was wearing the jacket that means "we're going outside in the rain and cold, it's time for you to go potty." We had just been out back for that and he was having no part of going out again when he didn't have to "go".

Chester's observation skills failed him. Had he noticed I was still sock-footed, he might have just been puzzled and not panicked. Maybe tomorrow I'll wear the hoodie when I bring the leash and halter downstairs. We can't have our already fearful dog afraid of hoodies too.