Who Says That Dogs Don't Think Logically?

Every morning (usually) I walk on my treadmill which is set up in our basement family room. Every morning Nigel and Divot get a "chewie" (rawhide*) as part of our ritual. One of the things they do that I don't understand is this: as they're both chewing they suddenly "switch." At the same time they both just get up and exchange their chewies. It's like some silent signal is given and they just do it. But, sometimes Divot just doesn't want to exchange and she continues to chew, ignoring Nigel's stares. He parks himself near her and stares at her hoping to intimidate an exchange. But while he's staring, I'm convinced he's plotting. It all began like this: One day Divot wouldn't do the exchange and after a long time of staring, Nigel ran up the stairs and barked. Divot, being incredibly nosy went running up the steps to see what he was barking at and he passed her on the way down and took her chewie! He used this tactic for a couple of days but she finally caught on and when he'd bark she would turn around to look up the stairs with the chewie dangling from her mouth, but, she would be fooled no longer! So, Nigel, never one to take defeat easily had to come up with a new diversionary tactic. Several days later he unveiled the new plan. I was on the treadmill, they were chewing, he wanted to exchange and Divot didn't. So, Nigel went to the door and pawed at it as if he needed to go out to potty. I stopped the treadmill and opened the door for him. Divot, never missing an opportunity to run out hoping to catch a squirrel or chipmunk sleeping on the job, went bolting out the door pushing past Nigel and he turned around and trotted back to get the chewie. All in a day's work... She caught on to that one too after a few days. The next tactic was a personal blow to me as he used me in his scheme. Nigel is a pretty independent Norwich. He isn't one to be cuddled ALL the time but when he's ready for it - look out! He really prefers my husband Mike to me and Divot prefers me over Mike. (They sometimes bond with one person over another.) So by now, you know the routine, it's morning and we've got the usual set up: me on the treadmill, dogs chewing, and Divot breaking the rules once more by not being willing to exchange. Nigel came up to the side of the treadmill with tail wagging and that "I love you" look. I stopped the treadmill and began to pet him and make a big fuss over him, glad for the attention myself, and Divot being incredibly jealous came running to get in on the attention and yes, he trotted off and took her chewie. He used me and I fell for it this time! He has also tried this on people. He was over visiting my best friend Kathy and her son Dustin. Dustin was sitting in a chair watching TV and snacking on uncooked macaroni (don't ask me why - he just likes it.) Nigel was acting like he wanted to get in his crate to take a nap and he pawed at the door to the crate and whimpered. Dustin, covered his bowl, got up, put his bowl down on the chair and went to let Nigel into his crate. Yep, you guessed it. He ran to the chair to get the macaroni while Dustin was over by the crate! Dustin called out, "Mom! Nigel fooled me too!" I have been told by "those who know" that dogs don't have logical thought patterns but that's what it appears to be to me. Nigel has also exhibited these behaviors in other situations as well. He is a consummate beggar. He spends great amounts of time trying to manipulate us to give him treats.** On a nightly basis he will try to manipulate one of us. One of his usual tactics is to go to the door like he has to go outside. When someone gets up to let him out he trots away from the door and over to the canister where we keep the Cheerios. He has no shame! We have to keep track of the last time he went out to potty so that we can assess whether or not he really has to go or if it's just a manipulation for a treat! Divot isn't the instigator that Nigel is but she's right there with him - learning from the master.

These dogs are incredibly smart and have a wonderful sense of humor. Your life won't be the same once you are owned by a Norwich!

* NOTE: I never leave my dogs unattended with rawhide and if the piece is getting too small and they might consider swallowing it - I remove it and throw it away.

**NOTE: The treats I give my Norwich are healthy treats. Don't fall for this every time because you will reinforce the behavior and the increase weight of your dog!