Slam-Dunking Pappy
One of the favorite activities of the denizens of the dog park is to sucker pop Pappy. While everyone else is resting in the shade, Pappy endlessly chasing the ball is often the only action. And Pappy is so relentlessly fixated on the ball and the thrower, it's awfully easy for other dogs to move in for a free shot.
In this photo from today, Pappy is captivated by the ball while Flash is sidling into position. As soon as the ball was in flight, while unsuspecting Pappy was turning to run, Flash would lunge toward him at ramming speed. Being of lightening reflexes, Pappy would occasionally vault his attacker, but more often would get knocked stumbling before he raced on his way. Then Flash would halfheartedly chase and bark at Pappy for a few feet before returning to get into position for the next round. Repeat.
If it wasn't Flash, it would be Kaiser or Molly or Cassie or somebody else. It's a wee bit embarassing being the owner of the dog park's biggest chump.
12 comments:
You have to love when he takes a hit and keeps coming back. You can't keep a good dog down!
"Thank you, sir. May I have another?"
I can't tell you how much I can relate to your post today. With two Yellow Labradors that I have encouraged with food rewards to have a consistent retrieve, I loath dog parks.
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"Sunshine"
Mom said I am the dog parks humper, so I think you are better off.
Joe,
Well, when Pappy ain't fetching, he's humping the puppies. I throw the ball to keep him from bein' incarcerated.
Sunshine,
Eh, I look at it as being an object lesson in the disadvantages of being too narrowly focused. Pappy needs to put his head on a swivel.
Me n Teka used to have a lot of fun doing the same thing to Travis. Muzzer says you should be glad Pappy will retrieve! It is below my dingity.
An "object lesson" ? You've got to be kidding, right?
Sunshine,
I understand your dislike, but can't say I feel as strongly about it. Of course I didn't have to work very hard to reinforce the whole retreiving response. I've been bothered at times when it seemed too rough, but often it draws Pappy out of the shell of ballchasing and into social play. In truth I've had much more disturbing problems with other dogs chasing his ball and getting aggressive if he grabs it first.
Gus,
Yeah, neighbor dog Molly likes to give Pappy a hip-check if he isn't paying attention to her. That, or steal his ball and run off.
Ah, I see, you are lucky to have nice, though denizen dogs at your park. You are lucky!!
Sunshine,
To me it all looks like kids playing, but maybe that's a warped perception from being raised in an all-boy house. It reminds me of when we'd be watching TV and my brother would swat me with a pillow until I reacted, and then he'd try to bury me in sofa cushions. Good times.
Ah, I see perfectly now, you are very right!!
You reminded me of hours spent watching my brother wrestle with his friends. I sat on the sidelines wondering what the fascination could possibly be.
Perhaps this is just the perspective I needed to adjust mine a bit. Thank-you for that. I guess I needed to get over my initial inclination to be an over protective mother.
I love your blog. Your sense of sense of humor and view of things is refreshingly humorous and unique!!
"Sunshine"
There's nothing wrong with being focussed! J x
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