Yes, It's Her Again

In the past couple of weeks, Widget has implemented a new service standard that we are apparently expected to fulfill. It seems she is no longer interested in leaving her comfy chair to come over and sit behind the doggie gate with the other dogs while we eat lunch. No. Now she simply sits up on the chair, front feet on the step-ramp in front of her, and bobs her head back and forth with a definite air of expectation. And waits.

It occurred to me that we may have inadvertently encouraged her to do this by responding to this same "signal" when she wants to come down the ramp but is blocked by another dog like Madison. She learned that this particular maneuver gets our prompt attention, so she probably figured, "Hey, why not see if I can train the staff to bring me lunch in the same way?"

So now, just before we finish lunch, she stirs in the chair, rises ... and then sits and waits, head bobbing. Food magically appears. Widget consumes it. Then she happily retires for an afternoon nap, never having left her perch.

It's a nice life, if you can find it.

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$1,000 Weekly Winner Again -- Thank You!

Because of all of your votes, we were the weekly winner for week 3 again in the Shelter Challenge -- and that brought in another $1,000 gift for the animals here!  Thank you so much!

The new Shelter Challenge started October 3rd and ends at midnight on December 18th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.

And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Please note:  Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.  [Yes, we are still listed as Rolling Dog Ranch for the purposes of the contest, not Rolling Dog Farm.]

Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!

Comments

[MsFitzTX]

Way to go, Widget! Seems like training for the humans is an on-going job!!!

[Glenda]

Way to go, Widget! Now that's how you train your human.

[Bob]

One step at a time. Eventually she will have you feeding her, tidbit by tidbit, while she relaxed on her favorite chair. It's a good thing the Widg believes in using only positive training or both of you might be wearing shock collars.

[Mircat]

Heck, if it'd work for me, I'd try it. More power to the Widge.

[gayle]

Widget still Queen of Rollong Ranch..

[Dawn]

What a smart girl, that Widget!

[Mike Marshall]

Of positive note here is that Widget's staff are highly trainable...

[Lisa K. - San Diego]

She is a very smart girl, and fortunately, you and Alayne are very, uh "trainable!" LOL

[Margaret]

In the spirit of the season, "It's a wonderful life!" You go girl, Widget!

[Kathleen Rivard]

It's a nice life and it's great that she found it with you two. I have a tomcat that since the xmas directions went up, yanks on one with bells, runs to the back door and waits for the door woman to open it and let him out. How dare anyone call them "dumb" animals! :) :)

[Mary H.]

Widget is awesome!

[cslvestropez@yahoo.ca]

This girl's definitely got it "going on!" Yay Widget:-)

[Valerie]

Oh dear Widget..YOU could write a book on training humans, that's for sure..it obviously works on your staff....haha...lots of love sent to you my dear girl....Valerie xo

[Ann]

Every time I see these posts about Widget, I just laugh out loud. Boy, does she have making her "slaves" jump through hoops for her down to a science! :)

[Betsy]

Every time I see a cute picture of one of your dogs I think it's the best. Then you post a new one and that's the best. These dogs have the sweetest faces. You can't help but want to love them.

[Linda Murphy]

Widget should write a training book............