My Dog IS NOT spoiled.........

Let's be honest here:

Does this dog look spoiled to you?

"Yes" ( this is my inner voice trying to make me feel bad)

 Does this dog look spoiled rotten?

"Yes" ( my conscience kicks in and tells the truth.)

Well, at least I tell the truth........ This is what I will make myself think when I'm trying to rationalize my dog's diva behavior.

And the truth hurts sometimes.   So now I must take action. Somehow I must learn how to think like my dog.  Does he know he's spoiled??

Absolutely.  And he LOVES it. 

But now we are down to business.  I must break the cycle of disobedient behaviors.  I will not encourage my dog to lay on my gorgeous antique Victorian Love Seat.  .....even if it does need to be re-upholstered (this is the doggie devil speaking to me...doggie angels whispers...no...do the right thing......)

 I need to start doing the right thing by telling him to "stay off" the Love Seat.  I learn that I must be careful and watchful and only do this when I catch him going on the Love Seat because if I scold him WHILE he is already laying on the Love Seat, he may become confused on the commands.

So, in order to NOT confuse my dog, but to totally disorient myself, I try to keep an eye on my highly energetic, 1 1/2 year old Australian Shepherd, who's name happens to be Star Trek. (yes, really his name is Star Trek...no, he does not speak Klingon...)

This technique begins to work within one hour.  Aussies are extremely fast learners when they can focus-  apparently Star Trek was "picking up what I was laying down..."

Now we are off to see the Ultimate Air Dogs do their Dock Diving thing at Bark-A-Bout.  If I could just get Star Trek up the ladder, to the pool, he may jump in this year?  Or, it might just be better to let sleeping dogs lie.