Cesar Millan is suffering quite a lot of very scientific criticism and probably will either change or fade away. Positive trainers are more vocal and there are a lot more of them since accredited schools actually teach positive training based on behavioral research done at universities around the country. Positive training has moved from theory to fact, and dog owners are reaping the benefits of less stress and better relationships with better behaved dogs.

But what about me?

Kody and I now have a little strip of back yard and all of our journeys outside are off leash. We only go about 50 feet but one thing I’ve learned about Kody is he doesn’t like walks, he’s more than happy to go back inside and usually has grabbed a pine cone to trade for a treat once we get in.

Occaisionally when it’s warm he wants to stay outside. This means me sitting in a patio chair and him laying on the patio calmly watching the kids laugh and scream and play in the pool. He loves to watch them. This is the dog that used to bark at everything.

We “brush” Kody’s tooth with the crown every night. Right now I just rub it with my finger but it’s getting easier every time. This is not just Kody learning but I’m learning the best way to reach in. We’ve been making progress for months but its not the kind of thing you can rush into. Eventually we’ll use a toothbrush, but no rush. By the way, Kody loves this. As soon as he’s had his dinner he’s gesturing that he’s ready to have his teeth brushed. When he knows it’s going to happen he runs around like a puppy. So I know I’m doing it right. It’s a bonding time.

Life is pretty smooth. I never thought I would appreciate a dog so much. Every day I have at least one moment of complete awe at how awesome he is.

I thought this was interesting because it took me a long time to figure out that my dachshund did not like going on long walks, and certainly wouldn’t enjoy a jog. It’s a good thing to remember that some dogs aren’t made for high activity.

One good piece of advice is that a tail that’s not wagging means your dog is probably not enjoying a run. Kody does more than not wag his tail, he actively tries to go back inside!

Running With Your Dog

I think it’s just their attitude. They always thinking and working. I was outside with Kody the other day, and one of our neighbors that Kody loves looked down at him and said, “There’s something really different about dachshunds isn’t there. It’s like he’s somehow just different from other dogs.”

This is a story about a dachshund that definitely felt he was the dog who needed to fix the situation.

Neighborhood heroes

Whether you believe in God, spirituality, or the flying spaghetti monster, I think we all feel the same way about our dachshunds. They bring events into our lives that help us process and get through some tough times.

I personally can’t imagine my life without Kody. The way he interacts with the world is full of lessons for me.

FURRY FRIENDS: The Dachshund And The Dragonfly

Photos: Animals That Can Think

After I shut the cupboard door, I hear Kody scurrying down the hall out of the bedroom after which he runs straight to his mat, sits and looks at me. (By the way, mat training obviously going very well.) How did he know what I just did? I mean obviously it must be the sound of that particular cupboard door but it has rubber bumpers and he heard it all the way from the bedroom. I didn’t even hear it and I was right next to it.

If you have any stories about your dog’s amazing senses, please share them in a comment. I’m fascinated by this.

Also, I’ve tried numerous times to get pictures of him while he’s sleeping because he’s so cute, and every time I do, no matter how quiet I am, as soon as I turn toward him he opens his eyes and starts wagging his tail.

The whole time I had hot dog bits ready and Kody would get one if he went over and laid on his mat. He totally got it, but I’ve realized at this point he also has to satisfy his curiosity and that’s fine.

Later, we had another guest, new to me and Kody, and Kody was excited again, but the guest tried to reach down too soon and freaked him out a little. Not to be distracted by this setback, Kody was ready to get to know her. Then the most amazing thing happened, Kody laid down on the couch next to me and went to sleep! That’s amazing for Kody.

If he sees another dog, he’s fascinated, but quiet… unless the other dog moves. It doesn’t matter if it’s away from him or toward him. He’s not mad at the other dog or scared, it’s his excitement bark. He wants so badly to interact, but he has no idea how. But the fact that we can be relatively near another dog with some bit of calm is great progress.

Along with the calm I’ve already described, his is a little more calm about toys and treats as well. He still likes them, but unless it’s something really special, he doesn’t get too excited.

One of the things I’ve decided to drop is any and all frustration with regard to Kody. I now know that the vast majority of my readers will luckily never know what its like to own a dog like Kody. They will never need to know and understand complex training methods just to make it through breakfast. I was taking Kody on a walk last night and without warning he barked loudly in alarm. Not at anything in particular, just his usual barking at nothing. In my bliss of feeling better for the moment I realized that it’s just not that big of a deal compared to constant stabbing pain in my neck. In fact, it’s comparatively pleasant.

Kody is who he is. He’s a crazy dog that was badly bred who is afraid of everything except giving me kisses… and food. We can and have worked on many issues successfully but there’s one issue I can’t fix: Kody is crazy.

At this point I can, at the very least, gracefully handle any worst case scenario we get ourselves into. And the truth is those just don’t happen very often anymore. But if a nice stranger tries to talk to me, Kody will sometimes let them know who’s boss despite the fact that he should know by now that strangers mean treats. He is the approver! If some is doing something he hasn’t approved he will let them know. In turn, they will often run, which I’m sure is just what Kody wanted.

There’s no point in trying to explain or apologize or lamenting the loss of pleasant conversation. The best thing to do is to quickly get us to a place where both of us can enjoy our day. Just let it go, because that’s life with Kody.