FORCED FUN

I was busting from the seams with excitement earlier this week when the tunnel arrived. It was like Christmas morning all over again – but in January!

I ordered this thing with the hopes of some cold weather fun while we were cooped up in the house. I just knew once I set it up – it would transform my basement into a theme park replica.

I envisioned Harley and Leo chasing balls through it, DH and I bruising our knees as we shimmied through it with them. I had dreamt about hours of “indoor” winter fun…

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I think Airborne Ranger DH was having Infantry flashbacks of those good ole training days!

Instead I think I created a haunted house simulation with this huge demonic blue tube taking up most of the space. Forced fun…

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He doesn’t look too happy about this thing does he?

Harley didn’t seem to mind looking “at it” from a distance…

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Trust me when I tell you he stared at it for a long time and never budged.

He just wasn’t getting “in it.” Not even for treats…

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I had to use the KING of treats (Greenies) I was desperate

and certainly not for a human holding blueberry cookie treats…

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Neither one knows where the other one is…

I tried to coax him from the other end. I was as animated as those characters at Disneyland, beckoning him to come through the tunnel. Instead he made himself comfy, and watched me perform for him like I was out of my mind…

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I believe he could / would have done this all day

This wasn’t going “at all” like I’d planned. Harley wasn’t supposed to be afraid. He was my pioneer doodle. He did it before when we were breaking a sweat for a homeless pet at the charity walk. Harley was my secret weapon. He was going to show Leo the way. At this rate, Leo may NEVER low crawl through…

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That’s all he’s done for two day straight

HELP! I think I need some advice. I know it takes time, and I really am patient. Does anyone out there have a clue on how to get them to enjoy MY idea of “fun?”

Thanks for reading, feel free to share your thoughts… (Emma, my furrend, where are you?)

 

10 Comments
  • Scotty
    January 10, 2014

    Isn’t that how ur (real) kids acted when u tried to get them to eat something they didn’t like or want?? Too funny!

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 10, 2014

      Yes Scotty, but the difference is, if I asked them to go through the tunnel, they would have (whether they wanted to or not) it’s just not happening with Harley (as you can see!). But I’m not giving up. Thanks for reading.

  • Kathryn Durno
    January 10, 2014

    I love the photos and the fact that you guys actually went in to demonstrate!!! So here is a suggestion, it looks like the tunnel is collapsible. Close it up so that it is as short as you can make it without messing up the shape in the inside. Then 1 treat at the beginning, 1 placed in the tunnel, which they will probably reach for, but that is okay, the one on the outside…just don’t let them race around and get the one on the outside, but they can stick their head in for the on on the inside. Gradually see if they will come through the shortened tunnel, then big party on the other side. If that doesn’t work…you may need to back up even further. Try a hula hoop, with it on the ground…no “jumping” through, just waking through. Then add scarves or strips of fabric to the top of the hoop, so they have to push through those. Kind of like I dream of Jeanie pushes through all the beads hanging down in the doorway…create the same thing with the hoop, one person holding the hoop on the ground, the other luring from the other side. If you use a clicker, any time they touch or stick their nose into the hoop, click and treat…once they will go through the decorated hoop, go back to the shortened tunnel, and then over time gradually expand the tunnel …hope this helps….you guys stay out of that tunnel now! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 10, 2014

      Thanks Kathryn, I will try it. The tunnel is long (18 feet) and it’s nylon so there is little room to shorten before it makes the entry smaller (soft material), but I will try it, even if it’s only a little. I’ll keep you posted.

  • emma
    January 10, 2014

    I will put my cat bro Bert in a box and send him to your house…they would chase a cat wouldn’t they? I had no problem with it, I ran through right away. Bailie was a bit frightened but we tossed in a few treats, sent Mom in and then Bert showed up and she forgot all about being scared. I can’t believe both of you are being so silly! I’m thinking something high value for a treat like a piece of wiener or something and then just going in a foot or two at a time? I can’t believe they won’t go in 🙁

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 10, 2014

      Please send Bert NOW!!!! Need him here at the house ASAP! Perhaps if Mom upped the ante a bit and tossed a chicken leg in there we might be enticed to run after it, but a biscuit? Ain’t happening. She’s persistent though, so we can only imagine what’s in store for us over the weekend. Weatherman says rain, so looks like she’ll have plenty of time to harass us.

  • Mayra Ruiz-McPherson
    January 10, 2014

    I absolutely LOVE “DH” pics omg … give that man a treat or throw him a bone, will ya?!!! 🙂 lol He’s a great GGDB blog post model… 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 10, 2014

      Can’t tell him that Mayra – then he’ll want to be in ALL the photos OMD…

  • Kate
    January 10, 2014

    One of the wonderful things about doodles… They truly have a mind of their own. If they want to do something, they will. If not, they will look at you as if to say, “Are you kidding me? You want me to do what? No way!” ☺️ Good luck getting them to play!

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 10, 2014

      I know right? It’s clear who’s in charge here in Doodleville!