I read somewhere that dogs can remember and respond to about 6 words. So I got to thinking, let's see, there's Out, Stay, Sit, Treat, Ride, and Fetch. Today I began trying to push the envelope. I have been teaching our 2 dogs, Miles and Monty, a new word. The word is "therefore." I thought it would fit in nicely with their current vocabulary.

Are they ever sweet! And how is that working out for you..lol?

So far when I give the command "therefore" they just kind of stare at me. I suppose it will be better in time.

My 'mutt' (aka Cccio) has improved his vocabulary no end since coming to live with me. He has gone from an 'alpine dialect' only mutt to an (almost) cosmopolitan polyglot...

His Italian is very good and his English is up there with it. He's now becoming quite adept to good 'cuss words' in both languages too - and now he's surprised even me, he has learned to tell the time!

Now I think that is quite an achievement as I haven't really helped him - it has been all by his own effort. Everyday he comes to me between 6.45 and 6.50pm - he will tap my arm with his paw, bark once and then sit down. If I ignore him - he'll do it again. If I still ignore him (I'm very often speaking to Nuccia at the time) he will lay on his back, feet in the air and try to convince me that he is starving to death.... (I kid you not - honest, you can ask Nuccia - she hears him).

Yes you've guessed - it's his 'tea time' and he wants me 'off the computer' and downstairs preparing his daily meal....

Handsome lad he is. Aren't they fun. 6:30 PM for us is treat time. They stand in the middle of the room and stare at us like little clocks. As soon as one of us makes a move their off to the kitchen tails wagging. If they hear the word BAD in conversation, they sulk for a couple of hours. How old is Ciccio?

He is so cute.

JoeB wrote:

Handsome lad he is. Aren't they fun. 6:30 PM for us is treat time. They stand in the middle of the room and stare at us like little clocks. As soon as one of us makes a move their off to the kitchen tails wagging. If they hear the word BAD in conversation, they sulk for a couple of hours. How old is Ciccio?

When Ciccio is naughty he's told that he'll be 'on the eBay auction' the next morning with a 10cent price tag....

We 'think' he is about 4 1/2. The vet can't be sure... I got him from the dog pound. Police had found him almost starved to death in deep snow. I finally got him on New Years Eve 2005 and she thought he was about a year old then...