In which I'm the mean mama.
Well, so far my morning has been one big shitastic frenzy, how about yours?
We got in a fight this morning. Over Lucy. HOW IN GOD'S NAME are we ever going to have children if we can't even deal with the issues surrounding A DOG? Jesus.
Since Kevin takes the bus to Boulder every morning, he gets up at the ungodly hour of 5:30 am. Consequently, Lucy ALSO rises at this hour. So on days where Kevin doesn't get up early - like today - Lucy still rises at 5:30 am and woofs and prances all over the bedroom in her famous and super annoying LET ME OUT NOW dance. Recently it's been even earlier....I think Monday night it was 3 am?
She hasn't always done this. Lucy knows how to sleep through the night.... in fact, just like her mama, the little girl usually loves sleeping in ;)
Kevin thinks we are being mean if we don't get up and let her out whenever she wants, and I think we are perpetuating a bad habit. We are letting her get her way and I think she knows that....so she abuses it. I mean, she's not a puppy anymore - it's not a potty training issue. And the girl does not have an emergency poo each night, of that I am sure.
(My god, where the hell is a DOG WHISPERER when you need one?????)
So out of all this comes the argument about WHO - if anyone - is going to get up out of the comfy warm bed, traipse downstairs, and indulge her.
How many of you have had an argument like this? Raise your hands!
AGGGHHHHHAGAGHHHHHHHHH! Naturally it escalates into things like: Well, I vacuumed last week so it's your turn to let her out OR I gave Hendrix his shot 5 days in a row so you need to be the one to get up. And the next thing you know, we've gone from an argument about puppy-parenting to who does more around the house. Ridiculous.
As I write this, the argument has not been resolved. The fact that I think I'm right? Not even going to go there. I know I am partially to blame....I am a TERRIBLE morning person. I always will be. Getting up early is NOT my forte. Maybe we need a nice paper schedule taped the fridge. Gold stars for Rosie for getting up at the crack of dawn on Thursdays! Haha...now that's something I could get behind.
Don't worry Lu-Bird, poo poo dance and all, you're still Mama's #1 girl.
posted by Rosie @ 9/14/2006
7 comments
7 Comments:
The same thing used to happen when we had Maxi. We had moved into a new house and Maxi suddenly started waking up 2 hours earlier than me...meaning 4 am.
After letting her out each day to have her stand there and STARE at me (and not poop or pee) I decided enough.
Morning #3 when she woke up at 4 I ORDERED her back to bed and ignored her.
That did the trick and no, there were never any accidents resulting from this.
Stand firm, Rosie! You are the boss.
I also got in trouble for whispering/scolding "Lucy NO! Lay down! Lucy NO! Lay down!"
I know. I AM the boss ;) Of BOTH of them. Haha.
Mateo is a dog whisperer. No kidding. I've seen him talk to the dogs in my house and one at a shop you used to go to before shows when Jazz@Jack's was still down near the Platte River. It's freaky.
dude- trust me the dog whisperer would scold you for indulging in this ludicrious behavior. unless lucy has a unrelenting case of diarrhea (like mani and naya) she should be let out on your
schedule.
You are the leader of the pack and by letting her tell you when to let her out she is taking control of the pack. In her (and most dogs minds- since they are totally self centered animals) she is thinking " tee hee hee, let's see if they get up to appease me at 3 today- i run the show here and they'll do what i ask". It's not a question of how much you love your dog or any of that crap- it's about respect. Sounds like Miss Lucy needs to learn to respect her momma's precious sleep time.
Naya used to pull the same shit. She was up begging to go out and eat breakfast at 6 am everyday. EWE appeased her until we went to the dog whisperer and he laughed at us. I believe he said something like: "You wonder why you have issues with your dog?" Anyway as soon as we assumed the role of pack leader she learned to sleep until we get up and then eat when we decide.
So -you're right and this is a test for your and Lucy. Stand firm dear friend, stand firm.
As for the Kev portion of it- if he want to appease her than he can get out of the comfy bed to do it! But beware the consequences.
Check out Cesar's website http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/and see if there are any facts you can present to solve your dilema.
good luck-
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/leader.html
another good site-
You will have children and you will have the same arguments. I believe one we had ended with my husband bringing the screaming, crying baby into my room, arms extended, saying, "WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER ONE! YOU CAN TRY AND EXTRACT SPERM FROM ME BUT IT WILL NOT WORK!!" ...
Good times.
Oh man. I hope it has since been resolved. I think it is totally normal to argue about such things, btw. And sweet lord, isn't that what doggie doors are for?
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