Barking and the Spray Bottle

Anyone in the world that says that Kees are not as smart as little whips needs to come and watch the pumpkin routine at my house, espeically last night!!

Skadi has become quite the little barker. Not at passerbys, or robbers or anything else that might be considered important (she doesn't even notice the bunnies that like to visit the yard). She likes to tell me and DH off, every night at least once. And usually it stems from the nightly pumpkin routine.Well, I'm tired of it, so I got myself a spray bottle and filled it with vinager and water (as was suggested on a great website) and yesterday the first time she barked (she was mad that she was in the kitchen and DH and I were talking in the hallway), SQUIRT, I nailed her. She looked soooo suprised, it was hard not to laugh.

Fast forward to prep of the pumpkin meal. I usually take a bit of her evening kibble, mix it with pumpkin in a second bowl and then put it in the freezer for DH to give her right before he sits down for supper. She immeditaly gets to lick the spoon off but has to wait for the rest. As per normal, she figured I'm preparing the golden pumpkin and BARK, SQUIRT, I nailed her again. She goes under the table to lick her nose (and her pride).

I go over to the feeding spot with the spoon and the bottle and over she comes. Normally I make her do a routine of sits and downs before she gets the pumkin and she does it, but barking all the while. Well, tonight she takes one look at the spoon and the bottle and does what I ask of her, with NO BARKING!! Just little 'ttide yelps.

DH was soooo amused, he walked around with the bottle for the rest of the night.

She has learnt after one evening though, that if she barks and then RUNS AWAY, she can avoid the sprayer.

oh well, if even the pumpkin can be fed in peace I will be much happier!