Torque, at 10 months old, is bigger than Teddy now. They weigh about the same, but Torque’s a little bit taller, a little bit longer, and not as wide – yet.
And Torque’s big-boy personality is settling in. He’s a happy, goofy, friendly, silly, clownish French Bulldog – pretty much all the descriptions of the breed that you read. He loves people and dogs, loves going places and doing “stuff.” He gets a little bit over-enthusiastic, but he listens well and calms down beautifully.
Torque loves toys and playing fetch. He loves chewing on his chewie toys, but he can also put them aside, relax and take a nap – even on the days he’s with me here at the shop.
And his easy-going personality could not be more different from Teddy.
Teddy is intense. He worries. He has no interest in toys. He occasionally chews on something – and when he does, it’s not released until destroyed, or taken away.
How we train our dogs changes based on what works for each one. We have to adapt our methods for the dog we’re working with. Torque thinks a toy and a game of tug is marvelous. Teddy think food is the only payment worth working for.
The one exception to Teddy’s “don’t care” attitude about toys is plastic of a very particular texture. He loves the bottles that my contact lens solution comes in. I don’t even remember how I discovered this weird little factoid. But some days it’s the only toy he’ll play with. We’re dog trainers – we go with whatever works.
nd unusual textures, sounds, heights, motions, etc., so that he’ll be unfazed by all the sights, sounds, movements, etc. that he’ll encounter in obedience, rally, and agility competition. We want him to play and have a good time wherever he is, whatever he’s doing, including being obedient.
