I started to write about this subject yesterday, but the guys got me distracted with the Rick and Sascha story.  So here was my original idea for yesterday’s blog.

I noticed that Sascha is developing her own ideas about how the household should be run.  Most of these ideas are centered around her.  I wonder why?  Can’t be because everyone in my household has that idea, could it?

Because Sascha is part Border Collie, she has several herding traits about her behavior.  One of these is trying to get you to go in the direction she thinks you should be moving in.  Normally, this means nipping at the heels of the sheep or the cows.  Nipping at my heels won’t do her much good.  She likes to nip at my fingers and nudge me with her nose in the direction I should be walking.  Occasionally, she leans into my  leg with her shoulder to give me an extra push.  It really puzzles her when I don’t go in the expected direction.

Then there is the weight issue.  As you know, she loves to sit in the big red chair with you.  We’ve been trying to teach her to ask permission so that the occupant has the right to deny entry, if they choose, and she has to accept it.  She lets you know that she definitely doesn’t accept the decision though.   She tucks her head down and just pushes slowly forward with her weight.  I find I have trouble pushing her off when she does this.  Now I really am a pushover!

When she throws herself into the chair, it’s really hard for me to get her back out again.  I swear, she comes flying at you about head level.  You duck to keep from being hurt, and she settles into place behind you.  I pull her lead to get her out of the chair and that dead weight thing comes into play again.  I have to stand up just to pull her out of the chair.

Sascha really hates going to her crate when we leave the house.  In the morning, she hides so that you won’t force down the stairs and into the crate.  I can get her down the stairs, but she becomes dead weight in front of her crate.  I can pick up one of her back paws, but her 50 lbs. almost feels like 150 lbs.  When we get ready to leave for work, I feel like I’ve done a cardio workout just trying to get her into the crate!

Sascha definitely knows how to throw her weight around with me at least to get what she wants.  She wants in the big red chair and I can’t stop her.  She wants in your lap and it’s really hard to keep her out.  She doesn’t want in her crate and it’s next to impossible to get her in. 

Who would have thought a little 50 lbs. dog would cause so much trouble.  Otherwise, she is an angel.  Her 50 lbs. hardly feel like anything when she leans against you to get petted all over.