Thursday, 26 February 2015

Wire-haired fox terrier problems (1)

This is the first of what I intend to be an occasional series of short posts dealing with life problems affecting (but surely not unique to) my own breed.

It has come to my attention that in certain human circles the phase 'first world problems' is used, often dismissively, to indicate someone might be complaining about an issue too trivial to merit a sympathetic response.

Let me assure you that 'wire-haired fox terrier problems' in no way belong in this category.

Today I want to address the topic of what to do when one is out on a walk and finds one's progress impeded by a small but prickly twig caught uncomfortably in one's wiry furs.

I am pleased to report that the solution to this particular problem is fairly straightforward.

What you need to do is first to stop in your tracks, ignoring all calls to "come Bertie COME". Then you adopt a stance which indicates slight discomfort, and gaze up at your human with a pathetic, pleading look.


Pretty soon your human will approach you and, at minimal inconvenience to yourself, will grab hold of said twig and gently but firmly (this may take them a bit of practice) extract the offending item from your furs, allowing you to continue unencumbered on your walk.

The speed of the response will, obviously, depend on your human's level of training and general alertness. For example, it took several 'twig in furs' episodes before Gail learned that I was not just "making a fuss about nothing"…

As if.

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25 comments:

  1. The Adventures of the LLB Gang26 February 2015 at 05:30

    What a great approach and solution to this problem, Bertie!

    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  2. Kinley Westie26 February 2015 at 07:00

    I know all bout da twigs in da fur problem.

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  3. Brinley Westie26 February 2015 at 07:14

    I usta has dat problem.... sigh... back when I wuz a fuzzy wuzzy...

    Dose were da days... wish I had dat problem nowadays. Now I's got da problem of gettin' sunburned from lack of furs and bein' cold, and well, itchy, there is always dat.

    Yeah, from where I's sittin'-- on me bare bum-- ya gots first world problems, Bertie. Cry me a river!!

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  4. Craig26 February 2015 at 07:44

    As long as you have Gail trained Bertie, that's really all that matters. You clearly seem to be a master of such circumstances.

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  5. Charliedownunder26 February 2015 at 07:58

    Crikey Bertie ...... I don't have that problem but Mum knows all about it. Our Lucy was always getting twigged up. Sounds to me like you got it all under control, aye??

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  6. Bella Roxy & Macdui26 February 2015 at 08:10

    We totally understand your problem. We scotties seem to just attract twigs and leaves and grasses...and the list goes on! Sounds like you've trained Gail well. Bits of shrubbery can cramp your style.

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  7. Julie26 February 2015 at 08:48

    Oh I know all about that problem Bertie, being low to the ground, I'm always getting bits of brambles stuck in my furs. I've found a bit of whining helps speed up the peeps as well
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  8. Unknown26 February 2015 at 10:58

    That is why she calls me a dirt bag LOL. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  9. Tootsie26 February 2015 at 11:00

    AS IF!

    And it took my mom several training sessions, too; for example, how long does it take to realize that spiky chestnut thorns HURT?! I practice the same technique. I think it might be well known across breeds!

    xox
    Tootsie

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  10. easyweimaraner26 February 2015 at 12:09

    Mommas whft started to limp when she had a "trashure" in her fur, no matter if a piece of wood or grass stuck on her head or her back, she limped and claimed for compensation :o)
    easy rider

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  11. Taryn26 February 2015 at 12:10

    I know that look well. My guys do it when they step on a sand spur on the beach. Those are very painful, both for the dog's paw as well as the human removing it! Ouch!

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  12. Cowspotdog26 February 2015 at 12:10

    we understand perfectly - not only do we catch twigs in our legs and tummy fur - we catch them in our tails too and they are worse because it feel like something is chasing us. We too have had to train the human to respond quickly when this happens

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  13. Yamini MacLean26 February 2015 at 12:24

    Hari Om
    Your point is well made and excellently illustrated Bertie Lad. If only I had an 'attendagail' for when I get a stone my my shoe... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  14. Frankie Furter and Ernie26 February 2015 at 15:49

    OMD OMD OMD BERTIE.... I (Frankie Furter) suffer Mightily from this SAME affliction.... (mom says I am a CRAP Magnet, butt it is only my FURS and not ME) It is TERRIBLE... those short furred ones have NO IDEA how this effects the ability to Walk... let alone RUN...
    I am forced to rely upon mom ... MOST of the time... however, now and then... Ernie will see that I am ensnarled and will attempt to ... YANK said ensnarlment free of my furs.. butt he is NO Where NEAR as gentle as Mom is...
    Sometimes mom has to resort to .... Gasp... CUTTING (said ensnarlments) me free...
    Thank you SO much for bringing this GINORMOUS issue... to the forefront...

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  15. Matilda the Boxer26 February 2015 at 16:11

    Training your human is SO impawtant. I don't suffer from that pawticular problem, but I have a similar one when my leash gets tangled.

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  16. rottrover26 February 2015 at 16:39

    The obstacle is in the training of the human, though - right Bertie? Some are quicker than others. Some humans require a whole choreographed dance before they "get" that there is a twig or sticker. Oy.

    -Otto, et.al.

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  17. Two French Bulldogs26 February 2015 at 19:16

    That is a true disaster. If I have a piece of grass on me I freeze
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  18. Angus26 February 2015 at 19:32

    Bertie - You must play it up for all it's worth. The discomfort caused by twigs, rose stems etc. occasions guilt in humans and might, if you're lucky, result in a treat. A howl might add an additional touch of drama.

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  19. Anonymous26 February 2015 at 20:34

    Well...just thikin here...but that happens to us a LOT..we gots all kinds of things that get in the furs...we gots our peeps on high alert every time they let us in!

    The Mad Scots
    We just gotta start using that pathetic look

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  20. Murphy26 February 2015 at 21:15

    It's about time these problems were treated with the seriousness they deserve!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  21. Unknown27 February 2015 at 05:58

    We are pleased to report that both our mom & dada are well trained in this particular extraction. You won't believe the stuff that gets caught up in our Scottie skirts.
    Wally & Sammy

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  22. My Mind's Eye27 February 2015 at 15:35

    Yes Bertie stand your ground and wait to be properly served. You wouldn't want that twig inching its way up to that fine WFT tail
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  23. STELLA and RORY from Down Under27 February 2015 at 23:17

    Bertie mate, we have something in common. I too collect twigs and sometimes mum is 10 cents short of a dollar when it comes to realising what has happened. Thanks for sharing this problem. No worries, and love, Stella (twig and prickle magnet) and Rory (no twigs, no worries).

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  24. Wyatt1 March 2015 at 06:36

    Velcro Dogs are what we are. Everything sticks!

    Wyatt

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  25. Arran, Arthur and Mum2 March 2015 at 23:02

    I might have to copy this idea. arran, being an independant type likes to try and pull twigs out himself. I prefer the help me approach.

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