Hot dog caper

My daughter was sitting at the kitchen table supposedly eating lunch. She was talking loudly and waving a hot dog (no bun) in her hand to punctuate her comments. Bonnie came cruising by and, seeing a hot dog suddenly appear in front of her, seized the opportunity. (Who could resist?)

I wanted in the worst way to laugh, but my daughter was screaming and Bon took off down the hall. Our circular floor plan makes it a dog-thief's paradise--she is nearly impossible to catch. When I finally cornered her, behind a recliner, the hot dog was gone. I called off the chase. As I turned I caught a funny look from her.

I pulled out the recliner again and Bonnie took off...why? Another few rounds through the hall and back to the recliner. (Her favorite "hideout"). I looked back there and saw the hot dog! Had she "buried" it there? She grabbed it and took off again. When I finally got her, it was definitely gone.

But was it? She had this gleam in her eye, but I didn't see any hot dog in her mouth. Could she possibly not have eaten it? OK, I cornered her again and looked carefully, no hot dog...but wait, after all that running, she wasn't panting. Not at all. Her mouth was clamped shut. I reached down to pry her jaws apart and out came the entire hot dog. She had the whole thing concealed lengthwise in her mouth and throat! I was laughing so hard.

Can you believe she didn't even growl, or snap when I took it? Now what do I do with it? Although it was intact, I certainly wasn't giving it back to my daughter who was still screaming for it. I couldn't bring myself to throw away a whole hot dog either...so I ended up breaking it up and giving it back to Bon, piece by piece. I know I probably shouldn't have done that, but I was so happy she didn't try to bite me, that I did. I have probably confirmed her as a thief for life.

Deb your story is hysterical. I think everyone can relate to similar episodes with their dog! I can just imagine the merry chase that Bonnie led you on with a circular house plan! My Bella used to steal the dish towel off the inside of my kitchen cupboard door (until we put kiddie locks on the door :rolleyes:. ) Her predecessor (Ashley-RB) also did this. She would immediately take it to the dining room and around and around the table we would go. If I appeared not interested she would drop it on her own and sometimes if I am lucky she would drop it when I said "drop it." Remember, though, it is a towel and not food!! :) Bonnie had something much tastier in her mouth! I am amazed that you were able to pry her mouth open! When my Ashley had a chipmunk in her mouth once (the only reason I knew was because the tail was hanging out :eek:. ) I couldn't get her mouth open to save my life. I finally had to offer her a doggie biscuit to get her to open up. Somehow I don't think Bonnie would have traded that hot dog for a doggie biscuit! :D Well, I guess it was probably not the best thing to end up giving her the hot dog, but I probably would have too. Dogs, ya gotta love 'em! :D

By the way, I LOVE your avatar with the moving ears!! Too cute!!!

What a funny story!!!

My mom is always surprised when we pry our dogs mouths open and take things from them. We will take away treats we have given them, rawhides, toys, whatever. We do it to let them know we are the boss and when we say give it, or drop it, they do. It sounds cruel to do it with things they are allowed to have, but they get that stuff back and when they get something they shouldn't have, like when Cincy found a Kit Kat bar it can be taken away easily! At the same time, other people who have not worked on this are surprised when their dogs do growl or snap to defend food! Duh! I will growl at you too if you take food away from me :) Anyway...

Good girl Bonnie for givin back the hot dog!!! And thanks Deb for a good laugh!! :) We have a circular area from kitchen to dining room to living room and the girls love to play chase around there!!

Great story, I laughed so hard, what a way to start
my day. lol

Deb, that is the most funny story I've heard! What a good girl for not growling at you:D All we have to do is say "DROP IT" and whatever Angus has in his mouth is spit our immediately, he's done this ever since he was a pup. Roxey, on the other hand, is slowly but surely getting the hang of it! Thanks again for the story! I could just picture it as you were telling it!

That is so funny! Thanks for sharing. Perhaps giving Bonnie the hot dog wasn't correct from a behaviorist's point of view, but I think she deserved it. She sounds too clever and cute to resist! I can't believe she tried to hide the hot dog in her mouth :).

LOL!!! I was wondering what you were going to do with the hot dog too! I would have let her keep it also. She worked so hard for it and as far as she could tell, your daughter offered it to her by waving it under her nose. Thank's for the grin on a rainy Kansas Saturday morning.:D

We will certainly be working more on the "give" command, but I tell you, anyone who can successfully command thier dog to give or drop something delectable like a hot dog or a squashed toad, has my absolute admiraton.

What a funny story! I could just see Bonnie's innocent eyes looking up at you thinking " Please don't look in my mouth, please don't look in my mouth" while she's trying very hard not to drool, or cough or choke on the hot dog in her mouth!! So funny! Thanks for sharing!!!!

When I first adopted Duncan, he was food aggressive to the point where he would snap at you if you tried to take something out of his mouth. Well, this was unacceptable behavior so we practiced in my bedroom every night for weeks on end with the "give" command. He won't drop it but I can reach in his mouth now to take it out w/ no fuss from him. Which actually is wonderful because he is very aggressive at the vet's office and will not let her near him. In order to check his teeth and gums, I have to hold his mouth open for her while she peers in from afar.

Ahh the joys of owning a large dog with issues!!! ;) :D I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!

:D That story was hilarious!!! We need more naughty dog stories from Bonnie :)

My dogs are funny with the 'drop it' and 'leave it' commands. Not only do they drop or leave it, they run away in shame. They're both just a bit sensitive :)