Narrowing the Field

My person started thinking today that she was narrowing the field for me when it comes to me being a grumpy butt. Straight away we saw Spike(Basset Hound) heading toward us. My person was thinking I would not be grumpy with Spike so she let me stay off lead. Mimi was barking for no reason and that always gets under my fur. We ran up to Spike and guess what? My person was right. I was not grumpy at all. We all gave a butt sniff and and off we went. Hey, is my person getting me?

(Merlin and Spike)

So, off we went on the glorious big loop walk. I was remembering that last winter we had to not do the big loop a lot because it was so icy and slippery. This winter we are doing the big lop almost every day. There is enough snow on top of the ice so my person and Mimi can handle it. I could handle any of it because I am Merlin the... well, just because I am Merlin.

After we passed the beach I ran back to the beach and barked at a person. She scared me. I did not bark at her Greyhound at all just at the person. It earned me some time on the lead. Hair balls! I passed the Spike test but not the people test. We saw pretty Rosie (Choc lab) but I was still on lead from the person barking incident so I did not even get to say hello. On the top of the hill we saw Mel (hound mix). She was already on lead because she does that eating what other dogs have left thing. If you know what I mean. Anyway, my person put me on lead and the peeps were talking. While they chatted I yelled at Mel for really no reason. My person let me know that was not OK.

We enjoyed the rest of the walk just my family and me. My person is pretty sure that when other bouncy dogs approach me I get nervous and behave badly. That is why she let me say hello to Spike. He is a mellow dude. Mel was not being bouncy though so what does that mean?

Plus, on the way out I was on lead and we saw Bella (Golden Ret). She was on lead and so was I. Once again my person stopped to chat with Bella's person. After a minute I charged Bella and she submitted right away. My person gave me a yank and a stern people lecture. Plus, she made me sit and stay while she gave Bella big time snuggles and pets and kisses and everything. OK I get that my behavior does not always get me what I want. Sometimes I forget that but my person keeps reminding me.

Merlin the Techable