Quirky things your pets do...

I was wondering what weird little quirks your pets have that make them unique.

My papillon Simone is very um...vocally gifted (as most Papillons are). She has a wide variety of barks ranging from the scream (yes, my dog really screams, it's a horrible horrible noise and I don't know how else to describe it) to the whisper. She has a bark that is reserved only for me and she'll sit and "talk" to me. It's like a cross between a hoarse howl and a bark. It's the funniest sounding bark I've ever heard and it always makes me laugh.

Our corgi Machiavelli herds the vacuum cleaner. He gets really mad when it won't go where he's telling it to and starts barking to tell it off. He thinks this is great fun and gets excited whenever I take the vacuum out. Along with vacuum cleaners, he also herds people, cats, his sister Simone, chairs, and just about anything else you could think of. The vacuum is definitely his favorite though.

My friends cat has this little stuffed raggedy orange money thing. She now has to keep the toilet lid closed at all times with a sign for you to close the lid. She will also holler from the living room "CLOSE THE TOILET!" because the cat will get this monky and dunk it in the toilet, fish it out and drag it through the house sopping wet.

He will wait for the opening too!! He comes and watches you to see if you'll slip up and leave that toilet open! Funniest thing I've ever seen!

~Jenna

Our corgi Machiavelli herds the vacuum cleaner. He gets really mad when it won't go where he's telling it to and starts barking to tell it off. He thinks this is great fun and gets excited whenever I take the vacuum out. Along with vacuum cleaners, he also herds people, cats, his sister Simone, chairs, and just about anything else you could think of. The vacuum is definitely his favorite though.

This is a horrible habit and will lead to someone (or the dog) getting seriously injured. It might be "cute" but you don't understand whats happening. People should not own herding dogs unless they are trained and used for herding. These dogs have dominant personalities that most people can't control. The dog knows it's in charge and eventually something bad will happen.

My dog eats geese poop and blows bubbles in her sleep.

I have funny dog story!!!!!!

So, my mom put the dog out on the balcony while she vacuumed so she wouldn't bark and bother the neighbors. My dog is afraid of the vacuum. So my mom went out to get the dog about 15 minutes later and saw that she was gone! My mom panicked and looked over the balcony to see if she somehow fell off (5 stories). She wasn't there! My mom then heard my dog whine, and my mom saw that she was 3 balconies over!!!! She squeezed through this small hole and went over there. And she was afraid to come back. My mom had to bribe her with a treat. Thank goodness nobody went out on their balcony. Leave it to a beagle and their darn noses!

My rabbit also highly entertaining!

This is a horrible habit and will lead to someone (or the dog) getting seriously injured. It might be "cute" but you don't understand whats happening. People should not own herding dogs unless they are trained and used for herding. These dogs have dominant personalities that most people can't control. The dog knows it's in charge and eventually something bad will happen.

I'd like to clarify a few things, since I didn't make it readily apparent in my original post and in re-reading the way it was worded I can see how you would think it's encouraged.

The only herding behavior my dog is permitted to do is the vacuum cleaner. We by no means encourage him to herd anything else and whenever he attempts to his activities are directed elsewhere. He's been through several obedience classes, holds his AKC Good Canine Citizen certification, and is currently going through more advanced training in agility. He is in no way an out of control dog and I understand how to deal with herding dogs and the kind of training that they need, although I disagree with you that people shouldn't have them if they aren't used for herding. We live in the city, and my corgi has plenty of outlets for his energy.

although I disagree with you that people shouldn't have them if they aren't used for herding. We live in the city, and my corgi has plenty of outlets for his energy.

German shorthairs and beagles are bred to hunt. Greyhounds are bred to run. German shepards are bred to protect. Corgis are bred to herd. Thats not to say they don't make great family dogs, but they are bred for certain characteristics that might not be suitable for reasons other than those intended.

Nim it sounds like you really kow and understand your dog. I fail to see how herding a vaccuum cleaner is such a gross doggie act....what can possibly happen Jamie that is so awful? He is a corgi.

Nim it sounds like you really kow and understand your dog. I fail to see how herding a vaccuum cleaner is such a gross doggie act....what can possibly happen Jamie that is so awful? He is a corgi.

I have seen children mauled because dogs weren't taught that herding is not appropriate. Herders need to herd, thats why they call it instinct. I am not saying this is the problem with Nim's dog. I am saying from experience it doesn't always work out and I don't think chasing a vaccum is cute.

maybe I should put this in in the sex section, but my Cockatiel Brigid masterbates... (pause for laughter)... I'm serious actually! He'll rub up against a toy, all ferious like, and make these squaky moany sounds... it's really quite amusing!

maybe I should put this in in the sex section, but my Cockatiel Brigid masterbates... (pause for laughter)... I'm serious actually! He'll rub up against a toy, all ferious like, and make these squaky moany sounds... it's really quite amusing!

LOL! My dog used to do that in her youth. She always did it in front of guests though to my parent's teddy bear.

Trouble is such a funny/smart cat.

I caught her molesting my bear the other night. She was standing on top of him...kneeding him with her paws and looking very pleased with herself.

I say she's smart cuz we'll play tag through the house and I'll think I'm sneaking up on her...but then when I look around...she sneaks up on me! :D

It's funny because she hates having other people around the house. So other people think she's evil and mean...but she really does love us. Everyday when I get home she's waiting for us by the door...waiting for us to pet her and love on her.

Nadine.

Nim it sounds like you really kow and understand your dog.

Awww thanks. You have no idea how much the poor guy has been through. We got him from a rescue and when he was first placed with us he wouldn't let us come near him without him trembling all over. It took us 6 months to get him to the point where he felt comfortable even being pet. The poor thing had been burned with cigarette butts. Some of his undercoat will never grow back. He was beaten and yelled at for doing what he was bred to do. :mad:

I'm so proud of all the progress he's made. He's a completely different dog than he was three years ago. He's the most eager to please and playful dog I've ever met, he just needed a little bit of encouragement and TLC to get there.

Trouble is such a funny/smart cat.

I caught her molesting my bear the other night. She was standing on top of him...kneeding him with her paws and looking very pleased with herself.



My roommate's cat used to have a lovefest with my bookbag, and ONLY my bookbag. I think she has a picture of him kneading away at it somewhere. I'll have to ask her to dig it up and email it to me so I can post it here. The look on his face is priceless. ;)

This same cat had about two hundred different personalities. Wouldn't let me touch him and would hiss whenever I was within 15 feet of him. Then he'd come over, rub against my legs like he wanted petted. I'd bend down to pet him and he'd let me do it for a couple of minutes before going completely psycho and attacking my hand.

Now he gets his jollies out on my former roommate's boyfriend. :evil:

My roommate's cat used to have a lovefest with my bookbag, and ONLY my bookbag. I think she has a picture of him kneading away at it somewhere. I'll have to ask her to dig it up and email it to me so I can post it here. The look on his face is priceless. ;)

This same cat had about two hundred different personalities. Wouldn't let me touch him and would hiss whenever I was within 15 feet of him. Then he'd come over, rub against my legs like he wanted petted. I'd bend down to pet him and he'd let me do it for a couple of minutes before going completely psycho and attacking my hand.

Now he gets his jollies out on my former roommate's boyfriend. :evil:

LOL! I hope she can find it! Id love to see that!

OMG! Trouble does the same thing. She'll want to be petted and will be fine for a couple of mins...then she'll go psycho and you'll get the bite or the claws! But then she'll still act like she wants to be petted! She's tricky. lol!

Here's a great pic that my mom took of Trouble while they were here. She's giving her the..."Bitch...I'll cut you" look. :D

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m209/divajesique/102_0535.jpg

Nadine.

Along with vacuum cleaners, he also herds people, cats, his sister Simone, chairs, and just about anything else you could think of.

I'd The only herding behavior my dog is permitted to do is the vacuum cleaner. We by no means encourage him to herd anything else and whenever he attempts to his activities are directed elsewhere.

He was beaten and yelled at for doing what he was bred to do.

In the first post you said he herds "just about anything." In the second post, you say he only herds the vacuum. In the third, you say his previous owners beat and yelled at him for doing what he is bred to do... herding I assume. So if he was beat and yelled at for herding, I would think he would be reluctant to do so. I guess your posts are not making sense to me...?

In the first post you said he herds "just about anything." In the second post, you say he only herds the vacuum. In the third, you say his previous owners beat and yelled at him for doing what he is bred to do... herding I assume. So if he was beat and yelled at for herding, I would think he would be reluctant to do so. I guess your posts are not making sense to me...?

What does it matter? I guess I just don't understand why you're attempting to drag down a light-hearted, cute thread?

Nadine.

In the first post you said he herds "just about anything." In the second post, you say he only herds the vacuum. In the third, you say his previous owners beat and yelled at him for doing what he is bred to do... herding I assume. So if he was beat and yelled at for herding, I would think he would be reluctant to do so. I guess your posts are not making sense to me...?

I worded my first post poorly as I was interrupted by a phone call and muddled my way through the post. What I should have said is "given the chance he'd herd just about anything." We however, only let him herd the vacuum. When we first got him he was very reluctant to herd anything, and it's taken some time for him to get over his fear of people and to get to where he's "confident" that he can do things like herding without being physically corrected. He was afraid of barking when we first brought him home, and he got over that as well.

Now, I in no way am trying to be nasty with what I'm going to say next. I can understand where your concern came from in my initial post, and after I went back and re-read after your first comment on it I realized that I would have been concerned as well had someone else posted it. That is completely my fault for posting a rough draft and for trying to type up a post, talk on the phone, and look for something at the same time. I'm not a great multi-tasker and when I try to do it, I don't always choose the right words when I'm writing (which is really embarrassing to me since I'm a writer). My second post to you was intended to clarify the first post and to set the record straight, thus the discrepency.

When I started this thread, it was intended to be a way for others to share funny/odd things that their pets do. I understand that you only know what happens in my house from what I post here, but the truth of the matter is that you don't me, and you don't know my dog. I know what's best for my dog and I know what his limitations and boundaries are. I put a lot of time and effort into training my dogs. I know what makes them "tick" and I know what's appropriate for them.

So, I let my herding dog herd the vacuum cleaner. It's a game we play and he does it only when I invite him to. I didn't feel it necessary to point that out in my first post, because I didn't think I'd have to defend what I allow my dog to do. There may be people out there who don't agree with it, but there are several different "schools" of dog training. I do what works for me and my dogs. My dogs know who's in charge, they look to me for leadership, and they get that leadership.

Here's a great pic that my mom took of Trouble while they were here. She's giving her the..."Bitch...I'll cut you" look. :D

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m209/divajesique/102_0535.jpg

Nadine.

:eek:

What an evil look!

I have to admit, sometimes I miss having psycho kitty around.

You have no idea how much the poor guy has been through. We got him from a rescue and when he was first placed with us he wouldn't let us come near him without him trembling all over. It took us 6 months to get him to the point where he felt comfortable even being pet. The poor thing had been burned with cigarette butts. Some of his undercoat will never grow back. He was beaten and yelled at for doing what he was bred to do. :mad:

I'm so proud of all the progress he's made. He's a completely different dog than he was three years ago. He's the most eager to please and playful dog I've ever met, he just needed a little bit of encouragement and TLC to get there.

That's a shame, Nim. I don't have much use for people that would abuse animals or children. :mad: I'm glad that he's in a good home where he can live out the best years of his life. :)

My Sparky is a rat terrier. When I first get home or talk to him, you can actually see the corners of his mouth go up and see him smile. It cracks me up. :D

This same cat had about two hundred different personalities. Wouldn't let me touch him and would hiss whenever I was within 15 feet of him. Then he'd come over, rub against my legs like he wanted petted. I'd bend down to pet him and he'd let me do it for a couple of minutes before going completely psycho and attacking my hand.



That's funny. We have a cat just like that. She'll let you pet her and then she'll turn on you. Her name is Spooky and I believe she has epilepsy. Sometimes she'd go into a seizure and run around bouncing off the walls. It would last about ten seconds and then she'd be fine. She hasn't had any that I know of in several months though, so hopefully she's outgrown it.

I worded my first post poorly as I was interrupted by a phone call and muddled my way through the post. What I should have said is "given the chance he'd herd just about anything." We however, only let him herd the vacuum. When we first got him he was very reluctant to herd anything, and it's taken some time for him to get over his fear of people and to get to where he's "confident" that he can do things like herding without being physically corrected. He was afraid of barking when we first brought him home, and he got over that as well.

Now, I in no way am trying to be nasty with what I'm going to say next. I can understand where your concern came from in my initial post, and after I went back and re-read after your first comment on it I realized that I would have been concerned as well had someone else posted it. That is completely my fault for posting a rough draft and for trying to type up a post, talk on the phone, and look for something at the same time. I'm not a great multi-tasker and when I try to do it, I don't always choose the right words when I'm writing (which is really embarrassing to me since I'm a writer). My second post to you was intended to clarify the first post and to set the record straight, thus the discrepency.

When I started this thread, it was intended to be a way for others to share funny/odd things that their pets do. I understand that you only know what happens in my house from what I post here, but the truth of the matter is that you don't me, and you don't know my dog. I know what's best for my dog and I know what his limitations and boundaries are. I put a lot of time and effort into training my dogs. I know what makes them "tick" and I know what's appropriate for them.

So, I let my herding dog herd the vacuum cleaner. It's a game we play and he does it only when I invite him to. I didn't feel it necessary to point that out in my first post, because I didn't think I'd have to defend what I allow my dog to do. There may be people out there who don't agree with it, but there are several different "schools" of dog training. I do what works for me and my dogs. My dogs know who's in charge, they look to me for leadership, and they get that leadership.

Nim,

Thanks for the clarification. I apologize for coming on strongly, its obvious I'm a little touchy about this subject.

Nim,

Thanks for the clarification. I apologize for coming on strongly, its obvious I'm a little touchy about this subject.

There's no need to apologize. I would have come across just as strongly too had it been someone else posting (and it really was my fault for poorly wording my post in the first place :blush:). I think it's obvious that we both care a lot about animals and their well being.

What does it matter? I guess I just don't understand why you're attempting to drag down a light-hearted, cute thread?

Nadine.

:ditto: x 1,000,000 :rolleyes:


My cat acts just like a dog. His most notable quirky things are going up to your leg and headbutting it, hard. It's his sign of affection-he must have one thick skull! He also loves to lay around belly up with his toes curled. He does this for hours everyday. He's the only cat I know who likes to have his belly rubbed. When my SO and I eat dinner, he comes to the side of our chairs, puts his front legs on your legs and lets out a shrill meow begging for food.

That's a shame, Nim. I don't have much use for people that would abuse animals or children. :mad: I'm glad that he's in a good home where he can live out the best years of his life. :)

My Sparky is a rat terrier. When I first get home or talk to him, you can actually see the corners of his mouth go up and see him smile. It cracks me up. :D

I can't imagine how any human being could abuse an animal or a child. Very few things enrage me more.

Our little Reilly was a stray and we have no idea what he went through. He suffers from separation anxiety but it's gotten quite a bit better. He's the sweetest dog in the world. It's a good thing he is or I'd kill him for peeing on my furniture. :D

Awwww! AG...I wish our cat liked her belly rubbed! Sometimes she'll lay around on her back too and I just can't resist rubbing it....then I get the bitey bite!

Nadine.

Where do I start? LOL!

The oldest has a thing for beds. He must be in one or on one a majority of the time. In the morning he follows me around whining until I put him on our bed. Actually, it's quite irritating and I've been know to raise my voice. He's on my ass until I do it. :mad: I've ignored him, left him on the floor, everything, but he won't give up even if he doesn't get the results he wanted.:rolleyes: He's also very vocal. He is always making some sort of noise. He rolls around on his back and barks. It's a ritual after he eats. He barks at us if we don't move fast enough when he wants to go outside. He makes weird noises when he sees deer, "GRAWRARARARARARARARRRRRR!"

The youngest eats like a neurotic dog. He uses his paw as a scoop to flick one morsel out at a time. It's very noisy. I usually have to grab a handful and put it on the rug. He started doing the flicking thing one day and I don't know why. There's probably a ton of dog food under the dishwasher from him flicking it across the floor. He also can only take so much wrestling before he flips out and runs for a toy. If his feet get cold outside he'll walk three legged into the house. He also pushes his way into the closet and hangs out while I'm changing (we have a huge walk in).

Awwww! AG...I wish our cat liked her belly rubbed! Sometimes she'll lay around on her back too and I just can't resist rubbing it....then I get the bitey bite!

Nadine.

My old cat loved it. I got him as a kitten and was determined he wouldn't be a mean kitty so I rubbed his belly a lot, messed with his feet, and was very affectionate. Seemed to backfire though because he loved me so much he yowled and hissed whenever someone came near me.:eek: He also pissed in all of my dad's shoes when my dad yelled at him. And swung from the curtains. And smacked the dogs in the face all of the time. I had to find him a new home. Dad's orders. :( I found him a great home though and followed up. He was just a fat lazy kitty and his new owner adored him.

I hate the bitey bite!!!:mad:

Our papillon opens cabinet doors when she gets bored. That wouldn't bother me so much, since we keep anything that could hurt her in the cabinets she can't reach. It's the slamming of the cabinet doors that she does afterwards that's really annoying. She'll push her body into the door to get it to shut with a nice loud bang. Needless to say, we've put baby locks on all the cabinet doors within her reach.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5672/fritz2zb2.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8997/fritzonback1az7.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3882/fritzonback2mb3.jpg

:ditto: x 1,000,000 :rolleyes:


My cat acts just like a dog. His most notable quirky things are going up to your leg and headbutting it, hard. It's his sign of affection-he must have one thick skull! He also loves to lay around belly up with his toes curled. He does this for hours everyday. He's the only cat I know who likes to have his belly rubbed. When my SO and I eat dinner, he comes to the side of our chairs, puts his front legs on your legs and lets out a shrill meow begging for food.

My cat Tony he likes to lay on his back and have his tummy rubbed! He also dose the begging thing but he also reaches with one paw at you its cute and pathetic at the same time because hes a fat cat and doesn't look any way starving! LOL

yay for stray rescuers! We have 3- (sorry, this ended up LONG)

Charlie-who has a thyroid problem so he is a FAT beagle and on meds for it. (yes, we walk) - not cute, he barks at the postal person EVERY DAY... I mean, c'mon stupid dog, it is the same blue outfit every day for the past 6 years!!! hehe and being a beagle, LOUD! but the sweetest dog ever, so loved on by my daughters, he has held the tears and given comfort... The dog cliche's were written about him... and he is the only one who has figured out he can open the back door when it is shut. Duh, even the lab hasn't figured that out and she is 60 lbs!

Charlie was abused somewhere along the line, he still has scars the vet says were made by rope or chain being left on too long, outgrown and infected, then scarred over when it healed. :mad::mad: My friend caught him as a stray and called me. He is about 8 now. His big thing is the vacuum. As soon as he sees it, he is gone!

Hot Dog - total cuddle dog, he is like a baby in that he is happiest when sitting ON someone's foot or being held in their arms. His little quirk is that he has to be touching you. Won't lay down unless some part of him is touching some part of one of his pack (any of us).

He was really scared of everything for about 6-8 months, including cars, which made walking a real challenge. Ever tried to walk a dog who tries to climb you when he sees/hears a car? He also still gets agitated when he sees the broom. We figured someone must have beat him with one. The vacuum doesn't bother him but the broom does.

Delilah is a 60-lb puppy... sheesh... That one broke the baby latch on the kitchen cupboard to get at the trash can. Thank goodness she is beginning to outgrow the really annoying habits, shoes, socks, underwear, anything left at eye level when she is lying down, standing up, or paws up on the counters... She is the only one we don't think was abused but the shelter captured her at 9 months, we got her at 11 mo.

Quirky-Charlie HATES nylabones. If I bring one in the house for HD or Delilah, I have to watch them with it because Charlie will steal it and run out back to bury it. and it isn't to save them for later. It is ONLY the nylabones and he will push them under the trash cans! We have found them under rocks, in the garage behind the garden tools, and dropped into the rose bushes. If I give him real bones or treats he likes, he takes them out and works them over. He will leave it outside and go back to it the next day unless I throw it away. He isn't allowed to have them inside.

Cute-the dogs entertain each other. They play tag through the house, two chase one going outside, they run in circles a bit, then chase another coming back inside. They take turns pretty evenly and before we had HD and Del, Charlie used to do it with my daughter's kittens! Now THAT was funny, dog chased cat then cat chased dog. Then they would lay together and clean each other. He was so sad when they moved out that we decided to get another dog for him!

Darla...I'm curious...what do you shorten (or do you) Hot Dog's name to when you call him or when talking to him? (or am I the only one who talks to my pet?)

For example...we call our cat....Trouby...Trub...Trub-a-lub. :D I also like to call her TroubleCat!

We rescued Trouble and I wish she'd be a little more appreciative! :p

Nadine.

Darla...I'm curious...what do you shorten (or do you) Hot Dog's name to when you call him or when talking to him? (or am I the only one who talks to my pet?)

For example...we call our cat....Trouby...Trub...Trub-a-lub. :D I also like to call her TroubleCat!

We rescued Trouble and I wish she'd be a little more appreciative! :p

Nadine.

No, you aren't the only one who shortens or changes your pets name (or talks to them).

We adopted Reilly from a shelter. He was a stray so we had no idea what his name was before. I wanted an Irish name, even though he's a cock-a-poo. I have Irish and French ancestry so they're both near and dear to my heart. We searched sites for Irish dog names and came up with Reilly. It totally fit him.

He learned his name with no problem.....and he's also Reills and Booboo. I don't know where Booboo came from. But I started calling him that and he responds to it. Sometimes it's just Boo.

:blush:
Hot Dog usually ends up as "hottog" but also because he cuddles, he is "sweetie" or "baby" even though he is 3 1/2. Attitude wise, he is the "baby of the family". Charlie is "fat boy" or "buddy". Delilah is "hey brat" or "pretty girl" depending on what she just chewed up!

And no, you aren't alone! I talk to my dogs all the time. Delilah will talk back to me. woah woah rrrrr, Hot Dog knows "kisses, give kisses" and cmon, boy, dance! Charlie is the only one who actually knows and will do his commands. sit/stay/come

He learned his name with no problem.....and he's also Reills and Booboo. I don't know where Booboo came from. But I started calling him that and he responds to it. Sometimes it's just Boo.

LOL...when I lived at home we had a dog named Texas who we called Booboo. Such a good dog he was too. :D

:blush:
Hot Dog usually ends up as "hottog" but also because he cuddles, he is "sweetie" or "baby" even though he is 3 1/2. Attitude wise, he is the "baby of the family". Charlie is "fat boy" or "buddy". Delilah is "hey brat" or "pretty girl" depending on what she just chewed up!

And no, you aren't alone! I talk to my dogs all the time. Delilah will talk back to me. woah woah rrrrr, Hot Dog knows "kisses, give kisses" and cmon, boy, dance! Charlie is the only one who actually knows and will do his commands. sit/stay/come

Trouble talks back to me too! It's so funny...sometimes I feel like she's arguing with me.

I also call her brat or bratcat. :D Sometimes I call her precious cuz thats what we were going to name her! :eek:

Nadine.

Fritz has a sheepskin rug for a bed. Everynight though, he wants to sleep in our bed. He is forbidden because he lays horizontally and takes up too much space.

So everynight when it's time for bed my SO picks Fritz up off the bed and carries him to his rug. Once he's on the rug my SO holds him there w/ one hand and with the other pets him with these long dramatic strokes while saying "gatito bonito" in a fake deep voice over and over for about 2 minutes. The way he says is more like "gaahhhhhhh teeeeeeeee-toe boniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-toe". It never fails to make me laugh. The first time he did it I literally laughed so hard I cried. The hell of it is...IT WORKS! :eek:

After my SO puts him to bed on his rug he stays there until I wake up in the morning at which point he promptly jumps on the bed.

Sometimes for a laugh at night I rub my SO's hair and say "noviecito bonito." :D For non spanish-speakers "noviecito" is little boyfriend/fiance.

Fritz has many nicknames.... Fritzie, Fritzmeister, Fritzie-poo-poo, Fritziecito, Gatito, Gato Loco, Gatito Cabezón (the first 3 favored by me the latter 4 favored by my SO.) ;)

LOL @ Pretty little cat! :D

Nadine.