Dogs are creatures of habit, just like us humans. Marvin and I start our day with pretty much the same set routines and chores every single day. Isn't that how most people feel? There are many advantages to that. After 5 years, we know each other's habits and routines so well that the predictability makes everyday life easier for both him and me. Some of Marvin's habits and routines are learned and others self-taught. Both the good and the bad. I have helped to incorporate them myself, and I love him for who he is.
Consciously or unconsciously
For example, he thinks I should go out on the patio while he checks out the garden after a good night's sleep. If I don't go with him, he doesn't have to pee. It's not something I've consciously taught him. But it's become part of our shared morning routine.
I also haven't taught him that there has to be grass for him to take care of it. Or maybe I have? Because when I think about it, I always go out into the field or on the grass in the garden, so unconsciously I've got that habit, and that's why a bit of the lawn had to be dug up when the snow came. He was getting needy, and it took me a while to realize why he didn't want to go no. 2.
One of the good ones
After we've been out for a walk, he goes straight into the bathroom and jumps into the tub and waits for me to come and turn on the water. Then he waits for me to find a towel and dry his paws. Over the years, it's become a routine, and he knows every move I make and in what order it happens.
One of the bad ones
We in the family are to blame for his begging. We haven't really talked about it before we got the dog, so he's taken advantage of the situation. When I see the world through Marvin's eyes, I understand him well. It's us who haven't taught him a good routine, and human food tastes good. Fortunately, habits and routines can be changed. But you have to start with your own to change your dog's.
One of the funniest
This summer he discovered that the raspberries on the terrace are actually delicious when they are ripe. He quickly learned that when I took the red bowl, I had to go out into the garden to pick raspberries, and he got the ones that weren't pretty. He knew he wasn't allowed to pick them himself. But over the summer he found a solution to that challenge himself. He was allowed to eat the ones on the ground, so he introduced a new habit – namely, to shake vigorously when he passed the bushes and then eat the berries that fell. As such, no rules had been broken, so he was allowed to eat the few berries that fell.
What is a good habit or routine for Marvin and me is not necessarily the right one for others. There is a lot of reading material on the subject. About how to create the good ones and possibly change the bad ones in a positive way.
About the blogger
Charlotte works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is passionate about healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown 4-year-old stubborn and happy cocker spaniel. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.
Creatures of habit and people of routine
Dogs are creatures of habit, just like us humans. Marvin and I start our day with pretty much the same set routines and chores every single day. Isn't that how most people feel? There are many advantages to that. After 5 years, we know each other's habits and routines so well that the predictability makes everyday life easier for both him and me. Some of Marvin's habits and routines are learned and others self-taught. Both the good and the bad. I have helped to incorporate them myself, and I love him for who he is.
Consciously or unconsciously
For example, he thinks I should go out on the patio while he checks out the garden after a good night's sleep. If I don't go with him, he doesn't have to pee. It's not something I've consciously taught him. But it's become part of our shared morning routine.
I also haven't taught him that there has to be grass for him to take care of it. Or maybe I have? Because when I think about it, I always go out into the field or on the grass in the garden, so unconsciously I've got that habit, and that's why a bit of the lawn had to be dug up when the snow came. He was getting needy, and it took me a while to realize why he didn't want to go no. 2.
One of the good ones
After we've been out for a walk, he goes straight into the bathroom and jumps into the tub and waits for me to come and turn on the water. Then he waits for me to find a towel and dry his paws. Over the years, it's become a routine, and he knows every move I make and in what order it happens.
One of the bad ones
We in the family are to blame for his begging. We haven't really talked about it before we got the dog, so he's taken advantage of the situation. When I see the world through Marvin's eyes, I understand him well. It's us who haven't taught him a good routine, and human food tastes good. Fortunately, habits and routines can be changed. But you have to start with your own to change your dog's.
One of the funniest
This summer he discovered that the raspberries on the terrace are actually delicious when they are ripe. He quickly learned that when I took the red bowl, I had to go out into the garden to pick raspberries, and he got the ones that weren't pretty. He knew he wasn't allowed to pick them himself. But over the summer he found a solution to that challenge himself. He was allowed to eat the ones on the ground, so he introduced a new habit – namely, to shake vigorously when he passed the bushes and then eat the berries that fell. As such, no rules had been broken, so he was allowed to eat the few berries that fell.
What is a good habit or routine for Marvin and me is not necessarily the right one for others. There is a lot of reading material on the subject. About how to create the good ones and possibly change the bad ones in a positive way.
About the blogger
Charlotte works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is passionate about healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown 4-year-old stubborn and happy cocker spaniel. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.