Luke has been our most challenging and difficult dog yet. His fears, anxieties, and personality quirks have caused us so much worry, stress, and extra work. His reluctance to let me handle his paws or ears causes me endless frustration. Yet we wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.
I wrote recently about how loving Sheba is, and Luke is just as loving, if not more. One thing I can say is that even though he is very, very selective about people, when he loves, he loves all the way. One of my sisters is the only other recipient of that love other than my hubby and I at this point. You should see how excited he is when she comes over (um, a little too excited at times if you get my drift).
Here are ten more things I love about him:
- His athleticism and good looks. He loves to run and that keeps him lean and strong. I love his lean muscular body – he is so darn handsome, and I am always telling him that!
2. He is SO smart. He learns quickly and he enjoys that learning as well. Teaching him tricks is such a joy and so much fun for both of us. His basic obedience still needs some work, but I have a feeling once he grows up just a little bit more, that will all fall into place too.
3. His “puppiness”. Luke will be three years old this fall but he is still very much a puppy at times. Watching him romp and roll around the yard and just act completely silly is such a joy!
4. He is the king of comfort. He finds the coziest places to sleep, putting pillows to good use. Seeing him so comfortable makes me feel comfortable!
5. His willingness to try new things and to be the perfect model. Neither of the girls have ever been too nuts about posing for pictures, and using treats to lure them just makes it worse (they just want the treats – NOW). Luke has learned to sit and stay so perfectly for photos, it amazes me sometimes. Even though I’d seen it on other blogs, I wasn’t really convinced it could be done!
6. The way he drinks water at times. It cracks me up every time he sticks his whole nose into the water dish and comes out dripping water everywhere. Of course, I’m not totally impressed when he then comes over and tries to share it with me, dripping all over my lap! I even wrote a post about it when he was about 8 months old “How Does Your Dog Drink?”. In the post I wondered if Luke would outgrow this habit – not yet anyway!
7. He keeps his sisters young, especially Sheba. Cricket will run all day chasing the ball, but Sheba is a little more laid back about that. So when Cricket is running around and Sheba just standing around, Luke will get her going by playing with her. They also often play together inside the house, and he’ll frequently be the one to motivate her and get her to play by biting at her (and she loves it).
8. Of all the difficulties Luke gives me – forget trimming his nails, cleaning his ears, or brushing his teeth. But one thing he will cooperate with is taking a bath! He’s not thrilled about it, but he lets me do it without too much fuss. Plus, he looks so darn cute when he’s wet!
9. Snuggles, snuggles, snuggles. He is the most snuggly dog, and there is nothing like sitting next to him and then having him come up to you and tuck his head right into your shoulder. It never gets old.
10. Luke is equally loyal to both my hubby and I. I might sometimes call him “Mommy’s boy” but he is totally Daddy’s as well. He splits his love and time equally between us and is just as happy when either of us comes home from work. I do all of his training, more of the playing, and I am the one that is home more with him. But the Dadz gets up early with them, feeds them all of their meals and takes him for more rides. I’d say he appreciates what we both do equally.
I sometimes feel like I let Luke down – that I should be doing more to help him get over his reactivity and his fears. That is something I will always struggle with. But when he is just home with me, the Dadz, and his sisters, he is the happiest dog in the world. I hope he might settle down someday, and accept strangers more readily and be able to go more places. But no matter what happens, we will always just keep working with him and trying, and do whatever we have to to keep him happy. The love he gives us back makes the extra work all worthwhile.
Ah, Luke, you are such a sweet boy! And like Caren said, there’s NO WAY you’re letting him down! Ducky is still reactive with people other than her own – at least here at home – too. I try to work with her, but DogDaddy? Well you know. But I have to start working with her to wear a muzzle in case her Uncle Doug comes for a visit again soon. She and Luke will get better as they get older, but we may still have to manage their reactivity from time to time. And like Jodi, I love Luke too!
Our vet said something to me once that has stuck with me ever since – I even wrote a post about it – “there’s nothing wrong with Ducky that a little training won’t help. You and Sam have just forgotten what Callie and Shadow were like at her age.” And it’s true. They were both a little bit wild as youngsters; but maturation had mellowed them out by the time Ducky came along.
In some ways I can see Luke maturing already, so I hope the other ways will come together soon too.
I understand getting no help – I do ALL of Luke’s training, and it could go quicker if two of us worked at it. When we were going to a trainer, that was the only time I could get my hubby to help. For some reason, he seems to think it’s my job.
Luke is still doing well with the muzzle, I hope that will help you with Ducky too. It would be so nice to be able to let him come out with people here and not have to worry about the possibility of him biting anyone. Plus we need it for the vet’s office as well.
10 great things to love about Luke and I bet there are a million more.
There definitely are!
He is so handsome and sweet.
I love Luke too. He reminds me so much of Delilah. Apparently I like challenging dogs. 😉 Anywhoo….a couple of things. Sampson was just about three or four years old when he ‘got’ it. That’s when he actually settled down. When Delilah first came to us she hated having her ears touched too, but now, she loves it. I can lie in bed and just stroke one ear and she is completely fine with it. I’ve also worked hard with her on her reactivity too and it is so rewarding to walk past a posturing/barking dog and have her not even give it a second glance. So keep on working with Luke. He loves your sister and that’s a great start!
Thank you, Jodi, that encouragement is much appreciated. I have hopes that Luke will get better with things as he gets older, but didn’t want to get those hopes up too high. Between maturing and working with him, maybe we will get where we’re headed!
My sister visited the other night and Luke was over the top with excitement about seeing her. It makes it so impossible to imagine that he doesn’t just love everyone!
He is a sweet, handsome boy. Can you send that cooperativeness during baths my way?
The funny part about it is that he is the most cooperative with the baths, but needs them the least! Sheba with her long fur is impossible to keep looking good, and Cricket is too close to the ground and is the dirtiest of all (at least she is small and easier to wrangle)!
OMD I think I’m in love! Love Dolly
Luke is such a cutie pie! I think we learn the most from our challenging dogs. <3 I really need to do posts like these about my dogs! I'm really wanting to focus more on their positive traits.
I think it’s a good exercise to help remind us of all we love about them, especially at those times when we’re getting frustrated with their issues. 🙂
I always smile when I read “Luke” posts. He reminds me of my own Rugby James at times, and it’s nice seeing Luke’s progress through your work! Just a hint, on handling feet and ears…make sure when you touch a paw or ear, you’re stuffing a high value treat in his mouth at the very same time, and he may improve on letting you handle him. The treat is your “paycheck” to him for him tolerating your touch. Keep your touches light and quick at first, and then as he allows, you can touch longer, firmer, etc. I hope that helps!! Belly rubs to your crew!
That is great advice, thank you, Sally! I have worked with him on his paws with treats, but I probably moved to fast and gripped too tightly. Luke is teaching me to be more patient….but I’m a work in progress too. 🙂
Luke is a great dog…despite his quirks. But then…don’t we all have quirks?? 😉
Yes, you are totally right about that! We humans probably have even more quirks than our pets do! LOL
Are you kidding? There isn’t a chance in you-know-where that you are letting Luke down! He couldn’t have a better Mama! This post is evidence of that! ALL of our dogs have their own little quirks and things that make us frustrated!!!!! My biggest is that Dakota still refuses to come to have his leash put on him unless he has to go to the bathroom! If there is ever an emergency where we have to get him on his leash, fast….we are screwed!!!
Thank you so much, Caren! You are right, they certainly all have their quirks; some are just more challenging than others! 🙂 Ours get TOO excited when they see the leashes come out….I can’t get them to sit still while I hook them up!
Luke sure is one handsome fella. And just look at his muscles! So glad you both have each other to snuggle and love on!
Different personalities is what makes us so unique. Mom said I anger little monster
Lily (& Edward)
I think that you’ve done amazing things with Luke! He really is so smart and seems to follow your directions great. Mine are a constant challenge with photos LOL! I love Luke ♥
We all have our own issues and personalities. It’s not your fault, and with time he may get better and you may have more time to work with him. The main thing is he has a wonderful home and is a very happy boy!
Luke is loving life…………that’s what it’s all about………making them happy and watching them thrive……Luke’s definitely thriving! Love is a wonderful thing.
Hugs, Pam and Sam
Luke sure is a special boy, and I love his unique take on drinking water. LOL! He’s definitely his own pup and I think it’s great how he keeps his family young and agile. 🙂
I guessed it… you are a FABULOUS pup, Luke…. and yes your way to drink water is special and darned cute!