Unexpected Accountability!
Baley is my "Mr. Routine" sheepie. When something takes place three times--with him it is then a part of his routine. One thing that I really TRY to do is work out on a regular basis. And it seems the older I get the more important it is. Last fall I injured my knees doing a really 'stupid' workout. As a result I have not been able to work out with a full schedule until now. Two weeks ago I decided that I really needed to get back to it--(it is soooo easy to find a really good reason to skip it 'today'...) so I began a regular routine each day but I changed it up a bit. I decided to work a few hours each morning and then work out mid-morning rather than first thing. Well my boys LOVE LOVE LOVE to be in the office with me and many times they will try to distract me from what I am doing to play with them or give them some attention. There are a few things that send a signal generally- so I am used to their antics and typically I can settle them down and immediately get back to work. For instance if I say 'bye' and hang up the phone--then they both jump up and sometimes they will bring a toy or just come over and aggravate me for a few minutes to try to get me out of my chair. This morning I was working on a project and really trying to get it done so I was not watching the time and figured that I would work out when I finished. At about 10:30 Baley started to try to get my attention. He had been out--he had eaten--he had water-- so I could not figure out what he wanted. He would walk over to my chair and then walk to the door. A couple of times I got up and offered to let him out--no he didn't want to go--I offered him fresh water--no he didn't want that and so on. He continued to do this to me---usually if I say no and tell him to lay down or go play he will do it. Not today--he just kept at it. Finally he walked over and put is front paws and chest in my lap and wouldn't move. My chair has wheels on it and when he does this --he rolls me away from my desk. Well I had to stop what I was doing because I was halfway across the room. So I said ok--what is it? He jumped down and walked to the door --turned around and looked at me (that mean follow me) so I decided to humor him. At this point Baxter is involved because he thinks it is a game and he wants to play to. So I followed Baley and Baxter followed me. Baley walked out of the office and headed straight to the exercise room which is upstairs. When we got there he hopped up on the treadmill and sat down and looked at me like --"ok--it is time for you to do this!" Now both of them love to go up there with me and have done so everyday for two weeks at around 10:30. They sit and watch me for a bit and then they lay down and promptly take a nap as I finish on the treadmill. I decided that since I was already up there I would just go ahead and get it done. Today Baley didn't nap at all. He sat and watched me for an entire hour. He did move from one side of the treadmill to the other a few times but he sat and just 'smiled' at me and was as happy as he could be that we were up there. Baxter promptly went to sleep on the couch because the game was not as fun as he thought it was going to be--and he had no interest in watching. After I finished my workout- I went back to the office and Baley was as content as he could be. Didn't bother me again and let me finish what I needed to do. I think that this could be a really good thing if he keeps it up!! He was so persistent at exactly the time that I had been working out--that he can now be my new accountability partner and I don't need a personal trainer! He can do that for me for free! 
This has kept me amused most of the day (it doesn't always take much to amuse me)--and I figure I should really be in good shape in a couple of months because I won't be able to SKIP my workout because it is now part of Baley's routine!  |
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| Way to go, Baley!
I see a future as a pawsonal trainer! |
Karen, please send him my way. I could use such a personal trainer. 
All of my sheepdogs have had different routines that they rely on but I have never heard of such a persistant (or smart) sheepdog about it's routine. |
| Looks like Baley is really earning his keep
Ron wrote: Way to go, Baley!
I see a future as a pawsonal trainer! Well said Ron |
| I love that! Baley is one smart sheepie! |
That is so cool. The only time Violet is that persistant is at 4:50 when she reminds me it is time for dinner.  |
| Actually Baley is a typical sheepie. I have never considered him exceptionally 'smart' but he does LOVE his routine!! I think he considers the workout routine an exciting new addition to his day!!
He enjoyed the time up there again today although he 'napped' practically the entire time--but was eager to go and do 'exercises'!! |
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