No doubt about who is in charge

I can tell from my dogs’ behavior that hunting season ended some time ago.

From September through December they behave as if well trained. They sleep a lot, rarely get into mischief, and seldom need correcting. Then the season ends and while I always vow to walk them regularly, I don’t. Instead, they, like me, quickly return to their slothful, ill-disciplined ways.

I have a friend who has pointing dogs that accompany him on trail runs year round. Both he and his dogs stay in great shape and out of trouble regardless of the season.

By March, however, I’m getting fat, and my dogs are bored, and begin looking for trouble.

Actually, Dot, who is just a year and half old, starts looking for it much earlier, and drags Ace, who will be 11 this year, along for the ride.

They’ve also developed a bizarre way of communicating. Ace will be snoring on the couch, apparently deep in sleep while Dot walks over to the front door, turns and stares at him. He always wakens, even though she doesn’t make a sound. (At least not a sound I can hear.)

Ace, though, once at the door, always barks. I get up, walk over to the door and let him out. Dot never goes with him, instead she simply watches him leave, and comes back into the room.

It’s a game to her, a game of control, and there’s no doubt about who’s in charge.

After a bit Ace will appear on the back deck and begin to bark at the dog door to the garage. Having been ambushed so many times by the pup when he’s halfway through the door, he’s always hesitates until he sees her watching him from the dining room window.

When Dot does go outside it’s her choice and she often returns with a stick that is quickly rendered into wood chips.

She likes a mess.

That’s probably why she adores Ace, who while he is one, seldom makes one.

But even Ace has begun to get into trouble. I caught him walking out of the bedroom last week with a tissue hanging from his mouth. No doubt Dot put him up to it.

Some would say it’s time for more training, long walks on a leash or perhaps a session with the e-collar.

Maybe.

I don’t want to do anything rash.

Hunting season’s only six months away.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]