With all of this talk about routines . . .

**BauersMom** · 07-29-2009, 12:14 PM

It got me thinking that not only do I have routines, and Bauer has routines . . . but people we encounter in the morning have the same routines. This summer (with the kids home all day) has thrown off some of his routines, but I always make sure that I take him into town in the morning for his walk at the normal time. One of the things we always do is walk by the senior apartment building. Every morning there are 6 -10 people out front ready to pet and love on Bauer. We don't stay long, just a quick stop to each person sitting on the park benches. There is one man that is out there every morning (with a treat), and he will comment on whether we are late, early, or right on time

. That is all he says, he cracks me up.

We also always pass a man that owns an insurance company in town. We have never said more than "good morning", but he always gives Bauer a little pat as he walks by. This morning, we didn't pass him in the normal spot . . . and I swear Bauer was looking for him. He kept turning around to look behind him like he thought we missed him or something.

Anyone else have a routine they want to share?

**Clanceycanuck** · 07-29-2009, 01:07 PM

Our biggest routines are at food time.

**Baloo317** · 07-29-2009, 01:28 PM

It's funny, in reading about them it's made me realize that I almost consciously avoid routines as it pertains to doggy life.

I always mix up our walking/running/rollerblading route (or which activity we do on any given morning, lol!) and they are fed anywhere from 5-10pm in the evenings, never the same time two days in a row.

The only routines that we do stick to are going to the park wednesday mornings (because I work 1-9 wednesdays) and their evening walk route stays the same. Theres a little old man on that route who thinks Baloo's name is "Blue" and he'll roar from his porch "BLUE!! HEY BLUE!!! HOW'RE YA TODAY LITTLE BUDDY!!??" And Baloo's tail becomes a blur and he hops in place a few times in greeting. I always chuckle to myself over the man's exuberance. Gotta love it.

**BauersMom** · 07-29-2009, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Baloo317

Theres a little old man on that route who thinks Baloo's name is "Blue" and he'll roar from his porch "BLUE!! HEY BLUE!!! HOW'RE YA TODAY LITTLE BUDDY!!??" And Baloo's tail becomes a blur and he hops in place a few times in greeting. I always chuckle to myself over the man's exuberance. Gotta love it.

That is so funny! It cracks me up how people react to dogs. The people at the senior apartments don't care about me, they only want to talk to Bauer (but they do all know his name).

**MNLab** · 07-29-2009, 08:03 PM

Gosh I feel bad, poor Daisy does not get much of a routine! I feed her at *around* the same time everyday, but I always have a different schedule, so she just kind of follows along, our walks and swims are always at different times too!

I have noticed that if I do get on a schedule kick she'll sit by her food bin at just the right time. She has more so picked up on what I do before I'm going to do something, and then responds. If, for instance, I grab my keys, she's by the door ready to go for a ride. She knows the sound of the drawer in which I keep her leash as well, and will wake from a dead sleep and bop over, all ready to go.

**AngusFangus** · 07-29-2009, 08:46 PM

These are such cute stories!

The boys get about the same thing every day, but the times may vary a little bit.

Oh! There is one routine we have to do every night:

Sort of as informal recall training, I started early on calling Angus in from the yard and we would run inside and I would give them a treat. I never intended for this to become a habit, but it has.

So now, every night when they are let out for last call potty, they go out and potty and as soon as Angus is finished, he BOLTS back to the back door, runs past me inside, and stands in front of the refrigerator spinning around.

Lately, for maybe the past several months, Kevin has sometimes been the one to let them back in. Kevin knows that he must observe the "last call cookie" rule, so he goes to the refrigerator and gives them their cookie.

If I am upstairs on the computer at this time, I will suddenly feel that someone is staring at me. I turn around and there sits Angus with a look of very eager anticipation on his face. I say, "Oh, did Kevin not give you your cookie?" (I know he did, but I play along.)

Angus jumps up and runs to the refrigerator to collect his second "last call cookie" of the night. He has to get the cookie from mommy or it doesn't count!

**Bob Pr.** · 07-29-2009, 09:15 PM

Puff and I go out for (usually) a 40-50 minute offleash 2 mile walk in a nearby nature preserve (1x.5 miles/ 1.6 x .8 km).

We have many routines, e.g., slinging or dropping the TD (training dummy) on a trail and sending her back for it by either a whistle, verbal or arm signal commands, etc.

And the routines of going out to Pee & Potty (6:30 AM, 2 & 10 PM).

Hopping in the bathtub to get her belly rinsed off after the nature preserve walk when there's been much dew. Then after, hopping up on our bed so I can dry her belly off with a towel (she L♥VES this).

Routines of where to sit while driving in the car -- or where to be when I'm on the computer (like now) and Puff is right beside me on our bed.

And others I haven't thought of.

**sarah** · 07-29-2009, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by MNLab

Gosh I feel bad, poor Daisy does not get much of a routine! I feed her at *around* the same time everyday, but I always have a different schedule, so she just kind of follows along, our walks and swims are always at different times too!

I have noticed that if I do get on a schedule kick she'll sit by her food bin at just the right time. She has more so picked up on what I do before I'm going to do something, and then responds. If, for instance, I grab my keys, she's by the door ready to go for a ride. She knows the sound of the drawer in which I keep her leash as well, and will wake from a dead sleep and bop over, all ready to go.

I think you've hit the nail on the head Chantel. It's the reason why I love my dog. She doesn't "need" a routine but is ready in a instant to do an activity or chore that she knows I'm about to do even BEFORE i tell her I'm about to do it. Amazing!

IE: 7am every morning my alarm goes off. Sometimes I am already awake and I listen her her in "her" room.

She gets up and stretches, you hear her yawn.. EVERY morning and then clip, clip, clip she comes tiptoeing down our hallway which is wood laminate flooring. She stands at the bedroom door and surveys us, 'hmm... they're not moving' .... then she'll come to the side of the bed and peer up at us 'mmm... they're eyes are still closed' .. she sits there/lays there for 5 mins waiting for movement. if there isn't any.... she takes herself back off to bed because *obviously* it's a sleep in day.

I love it!!

**Jefferson'n'Ted** · 07-29-2009, 10:01 PM

It always amazes me when they pick up on cues that we don't even realize that we are giving them.
As soon as I put my dress shoes on, Teddy runs to his crate. He knows that I am leaving the house. (I'm either barefoot or in flip flops at home most times)
Jefferson knows that if I lay down on the bed in my clothes, he can hop up for a nap with me. If I put on my pjs, it is bedtime and he goes to his bed on the floor.
They are so smart!