Some people right now are reflecting on their early morning routine of trying to get the dog to come in from the yard while they stand framed by the backdoor in their pajamas. Endless calling of the dog’s name does not bring him in. It is pointless to go out into the yard to retrieve him because he will make a game of chase out of it. The last resort of a pet owner is to yell “treat” out into the yard in a high-pitched tone because you quite honestly cannot say “treat” in a low voice because it just is not effective.
(In some cases, you have to not only say “treat,” but you have to present the treat jar and make some sort of clanging noise with the lid against the jar so they know you aren’t bluffing. It is a production, but it gets results.)
The treat trigger has been pulled. The dog freezes, looks to the door, registers what is taking places, runs back into the house, and barks like mad until a treat is presented.
Now that the concept of a trigger word or phrase is clear, let me explain one of the phrases that really works in our household, which is “Do you….?” This phrase is derivative of “Do you have to go outside and go potty?” In today’s busy world, Carlisle, Easton, and their yorkie friend, Keegan, do not have time for long drawn out phrases. We stick to the shorthand. When I say it, I prefer to draw out the “you” like “yooooouuuuuu” where my voice goes up in the end to make it sound like a question.
The dachshunds drop whatever they are doing. Their ears instantly perk up to full dachshund display. We make eye contact, and they descend on me like pumas on a Big Mac. One will jump up in my face using a combination of licks and playful bites while the other climbs all over my shoulders. This is the puppy pandemonium I mentioned earlier. As soon as I stand up, I am worshiped like a hero as we ceremonially walk to the door for potty time, a mini-parade in my honor each time. You have to be careful in normal conversation with humans because saying, "Do you want to watch some TV?" is the same as pulling the trigger. They ignore everything after "Do you?"
The other night, we discovered a new trigger word for which I have no explanation. That word is “candy.” I do not remember the context I used it in, but it sent Carlisle into our normal puppy pandemonium. It was like I had just told him he gets all the dog food to himself as well as the treats. I even said “candy” many times through the night to see if he would react the same way. (It was merely for scientific purposes and not just to tease him.) I don’t give him people food let alone candy. He better be getting candy from strangers.
All I know is that “candy” sets him off now, and I don’t know why. What does this word mean to him? Maybe it is like “Rosebud” in that movie, Citizen Kane, where you find out at the end that the man’s dying word was in reference to his childhood sled. Perhaps “candy” to Carlisle is some beloved squeaker toy that is now long gone.
"Did you say candy?!?"
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Even without a key word, Calvin and Theo can just sense doggy day care days making them ridiculously excitable and difficult to manage including, but not limited to, crying and howling for the entire twenty minute drive and gnawing on each other's collars.
I'd trade you for the 'candy' key.
So funny, mine will hear the "do you" and perk up her ears and wait for the rest. We have fun with that sometimes and say "do you want to go to wal-mart?" Then she does a head tilt and scrunches her head like..."i dont know that one...try again."
hahaa
"Peanut butter" and "cookies" make my four assume the position:
Head slightly tipped to the side, ears perked right up and one front paw lifted for the added effect.
Oh Dachshunds know how to work it!!
Sorry- long response but I can totally relate! We have a few trigger words/sentences. First one is: "Eat" when I say this word, Kona stops in his tracks, licks his chops and runs to the kitchen to await his food/treat. Second one is: "Where's Snicker?" Snicker is my neighbor's outdoor cat who taunts Kona from the top of the fence (or window if the he can't get outside) that is shared by me and my neighbor. Every time I say that sentence, Kona runs towards the fence, growls and barks at the fence, whether Snicker is there or not. Third but certainly not the least: "Where's Daisy? or Where's Nalu?" Daisy and Nalu are Kona's best friends- every time we say these sentences, his ears perk up and he runs to the front door with his tail wagging awaiting for his friend(s) to come inside. It's pretty hilarious watching him react to these phrases... I'm sure I'm not the only guilty one, but I tease him mercilessly to get a reaction!
I have a dachshund and a puggle at home. Of course they respond to key words like "treat", "walk", "go potty", "Grandma's house"... But one night, for some unknown reason, I said the phrase "all by your lonesome" to my puggle and he went nuts! I don't know what he thought I was saying! He was the happiest dog in the world though!
Another time in front of my parents dachshund I said "waffle fries" (mom made some with dinner :)) and the dog went crazy, but we realized it sounded like "walk outside". Dogs are so funny :)
Ben - If you want to trade, you will have to take the excitable, uncontrollable howling and barking whenever another dog is near during walks.
Lacey - I try to keep from saying "do you" in regular conversation. I've gotten several puzzled looks after saying it is not followed by the proper action.
Auntie Laura - I love when they perk up the ears and tilt the head. It makes me feel like they might actually understand what I am saying.
Minnie Anne - I think we all tease the puppies in our lives. I used to ask Carlisle where Keegan was, and he would get super excited. Stupid me, I said it once while driving, and he jumped up in my face causing some major road swerving.
Kabreea - I would love to know "all by your lonesome" means to. That's so funny.
Rosie's key is "do you" as well (and especially if you put the "Hey Rosie," at the beginning)! Usually because she waiting for the question to be finished with "wanna go to doggie daycare?" or "wanna go for a walk?"
Jasmine definitely perks and pays close attention when the "Do you want..." words are spoken. She knows that her favorite words will follow, such as:
- a Treat!
- a Bone!
- Din-Din (dinner)
- to Come Up
- to go Outside
- to go For Rides (yay yay yay!)
Of course, each of these words are followed with Jasmine's explosion of joy. There's no other way to describe it. She's such a sedate and serious dog...these reactions are just too much fun for words.
Of course, there's always the dreaded "Do you want to go walkies?" that makes her sorry that the "Do you want" words came out. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Now, how many of you have done THIS: Started spelling words out when the dog is in the room and you're trying to convey something to your spouse/partner/friend/sibling/gardener? And then they look at you cross-eyed like you're a crazy person...this is a DOG, for crying out loud! (Yes, this is a dog, but you don't want to get the dog in a tizzy for no reason).
:-)
Tofu's triggers are usually the names of other people like Julie (the woman he has a crush on at the daycare). He loves visiting his fave people. However, the other day I mentioned Calvin and hilariously enough he took off to get (and protect) his favourite toy.
So Funny. sasha has lots of triggers and some aren't even words. When I get my tennis shoes on. She gets excited cause that only means outside time with her. Either walk, car ride, or just playing in the backyard. Then, there is the post ofice trips. Now whenever she sees a package she knows she is going to get a car ride to the post office. You just got to love their butt wiggles and excitement over the little things in life.
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