by Sharon Fulps

Created on: January 09, 2011

I sincerely believe certain breeds of dogs communicate more effectively in human like ways. If anyone should doubt this, they should stop by our home in Arizona where we are loved by two very " talkative" and "demonstrative" pug dogs. Our black, male pug, Bubba, is the oldest and the most demanding and loyal of the two pugs. Our fawn, female pug, Holly ,is more complacent but will certainly let you know exactly what she wants or doesn't want for that matter.

Dogs are definitely creatures of habit. They  like and actually demand the certainty of structure. They learn behaviors by repetition, especially if it involves food. My husband, Frank, is a creature of habit which meets with their approval quite nicely. Every day for the past twelve years our pugs are given a treat at three o'clock in the afternoon. My husband does not have to look at the clock to remind him it is "treat time" because Bubba and Holly are waiting by his chair precisely at the appointed hour. Should he delay even two minutes past the hour in providing the treat to these two  roley, poly canines they verbally remind him. First ,Bubba will patiently emit a somewhat quiet yip as if to say, "it's time, come on now fork it over".  Holly doesn't bark as she is much too refined and feminine to be caught begging for her treat in such a manner so she whines in the most non assertive way with a sound of, "hmnn" as if to say, "please, gimme my treat". Now don't get me wrong, should their treat not be offered at five past the designated hour all bets are off regarding Holly's feminine ways of communicating. She is the first to physically demand the treat by placing both front paws on Frank's legs jumping up and down while emitting a sound that sounds like, "gerime, gerime" which in people language translates to, "gimme, gimme".  Bubba doesn't just emit one quiet bark  as he did at two minutes past the hour but a series of three repeated sharp barks as if to say, "it's after three, my treat is due, feed me now".

By the way, dogs will behave in child like ways as well. Bubba, being male is more muscular in build and is taller than our little girl Holly. We truly try to keep Holly on a diet as she packs on pounds easier than Bubba. While I am preparing dinner for we humans, usually both dogs are waiting for a little tid bit passed from stove top to their waiting mouths as they do think they are our official

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