Patience is something that is taught by children and dogs. When another being comes into your life that you love very much you learn patience. You accept that you’re not in total control of them and you know you never will be. This acceptance is the definition of patience.
I have become a very patient person with Kody. The last two nights he has wanted to go out about every hour from 7 to 11 o’clock. This gets very tiresome, but he doesn’t lie, he actually goes. But I’m patient, I don’t think he’s trying to get away with something.
I think he’s recovering from the crazy snow weather when he didn’t want to go out at all. He’s been kind of acting like he’s taking back his territory since we’ve been walking again. He’s a little more barky, and he’ll go on top of this little hill we pass and he’ll kick and scratch and bark at nobody in particular. They don’t actually know exactly why dogs do this, but to see him up on that hill it really looks like a territorial thing. He’s saying, “This is mine!” I’m sort of embarrassed to admit it, but I’m a little proud when he does this. I don’t know exactly why, and I try not to outwardly express it, but sometimes I have to hide a little smile because he’s so cute.
While barking used to bug me, I’m patient through this mild barking because he’s working through it. I just say a calm “no” when he does it, and a “good quiet” 3 seconds or so after he stops.
I used to be that guy who was frazzled by his dog. But I have basic control now from learning about training, and what I can’t control is just OK. He’s a good dog.