Communication

Dog Blog Post #219: Hmmm... I guess Large Objects is a personal problem. Oh well, I'll just add it to my (ever groooooowing) list of things to work on.

As for the bandana on Zachary's nose, which several people commented on yesterday - it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I first left the bandana open, but folded into a triangle. I told Zachary to sit-stay, brushed it across his muzzle ("eewwwww....", said Zachary) and I gave him a cookie.

After 3-4 passes, the bandana wasn't nearly so icky after all. So then, instead of brushing it, I would drape it, let go for an instant, and then pull it away (cookies liberally applied).

When that was tolerable, I tied in a knot in the bandana that I hoped would make it big enough to slip over the muzzle, but not so big to fall off.

In a smooth motion, I slid it up his muzzle and then I pulled it off. (more cookies, more cookies, more cookies...)

After a few of those he was just sitting there, although I did stay within arms-reach. So then I slid it up one last time, snapped the final picture, and I was done.

I probably spent 3-5 minutes on it.

And after making that sound way-easy, I'll readily admit that little Mr. Evil Jingle Collar was having nothing to do with the nasty bandana, no matter how many cookies I trotted out. Oh well, different jobs for different dogs. The Trick-of-the-Week this week is one that Henry picked up in a few days, Beau learned instantly, and I've spent a lifetime (well, his lifetime) working on with Zachary with zero success.

So why is this post titled Communication?

Because that's the theme of The Daily Shoot assignment!

Make a photograph that illustrates an aspect of communication.

Whew - an easy one!

My first thought was the dogs asking to go outside, then it was the dogs wanting a cookie (hence the photo up top) but in the end I went with the dogs communicating with each other.

Floppy paws, ears, and tails, squinty eyes, plus the fact they are playing upside-down, communicate that the fearsome display of weaponry is all for fun. I could snap dozens of these each day (and I would never get tired of them!)

(Editors Note: Last time I checked The Daily Shoot site, my favorite non-dog idea was yet to be done - the back of a dirty car with "Wash Me!" written on it!)