Trying to cook is very difficult with a puppy following you around everywhere you go! Well, attempting to do anything is a little harder than it used to be.
I don’t know how many times she’s sat down right in front of me as I was walking from one room to another or cut in front of me causing me to trip in an effort to avoid trampling her! Silly dawg!
We’re having meat lasagna tonight and I’m heating it up in the oven. I just went to check on the food. Pup was lying on Chris and she was looking mighty sleepy so I thought I’d have a moment to myself in the kitchen.
No such luck. She’s very motivated by food since we’ve been giving her treats when she does something good. Basically saying the word good makes her think a treat is coming her way! Good pee, Good poop, Good sit and even Good walkie to get her to walk beside us when we go for walks (it works!).
Anyway, she followed me in to the kitchen. I got the oven mitts out and tried to block Midnight with my body and legs as I attempted to open our gas stoves door. Of course she thought it was a game and tried to leap towards the slowly opening door of the stove. It doesn’t help that the stove door squeaks.
I tried to open the stove three times without luck before Chris came to my rescue and held her back so that I could check on our food.
Yes, we have a crate and I could have put her in the crate, but to do that just for a moment doesn’t seem all that fair. On the other hand, if she got badly burned by the hot stove I’d feel terrible and I’d wish that I had put her in the crate.
I’m so glad that everyone suggested we get a training crate when I was talking about getting Midnight and shortly after we brought her home. She loves her crate – it’s filled with toys, and sometimes I hide a treat or two in her bedding – so what’s not to love?
The crate has helped me have some much needed time to myself for an hour or two each day, and it’s given her a safe place to sleep at night.
So how do you protect your pets when you are doing things in the kitchen or around the house that might be dangerous for them? Like keeping them from hot stoves?
I’ve got cats – and they get locked in the conservatory when they need to be out of the way. Although they would just run away if they felt the heat from the oven!
How old is Midnight?
Hi Tricia:
I love these stories!!! They all sound so familiar and I laugh at each and every one. When I have things to do that I don’t want Bailey into, I lock him in the kitchen with the gate. Actually I used to do that and he hated it and barked constantly but I had to tune him out. Now, I’ve pretty much got him trained. My suggestion is to either put her behind the gate (I think you bought one) or have Chris hold her. I have another blog now….www.ellenssewcrafty.blogspot.com. when you have time, check it out.
So what kind of puppie is it? I love all dogs but German Shepards are my favourite.
I’ve got one cat, who adores the kitchen. When he hears the microwave or oven beep, he’s getting very enthusiastic and runs into the kitchen. I usually lock him out of it to protect us both. He has this tendency to walk right in front of you very slowly which can be quite dangerous when you’re collecting your food from the oven.
I always teach them to sit and stay first thing. That way they will not move until you tell they to get up. so you can do things around the kitchen and not worry about them getting hurt.