Nippin’ Pippin

The “drop” command is a popular one in our house.  Pippin likes to fulfil his retriever’s instincts by grabbing anything within reach, even if that thing is attached to a person.  Trouser legs are nibbled, baskets are raided, paper is chewed and, or course, he still loves his favourite items, shoes.

He is allowed plenty of chewables such as his toys, empty cardboard boxes and lumps of wood brought in from outside.  The trouble is learning which ones he can’t have, and that is where the drop command comes in.

So here it is.  The voice deepens.  The tone, from baby-sweet, waxes serious.  Drop.  A bit sharper: Pippin!  Drop!  And again – Pippin! Drop!

No reaction.  The jaws clamp shut and a mocking half-growl emerges.  Socks are the worst because they stretch and threaten to tear, and he thinks it’s fun.  So now we resort to our ultimate weapon: the water spray – one shot and he’s startled enough to back off and drop his quarry.

This strategy has been in use a few days and now it is enough just to show him the spray bottle and say “drop” for it to work.  I’m hoping that soon, “drop” alone will suffice.  Meanwhile, his obsessive need to work his jaws has earned him the colourful title “Nippin’ Pippin” from the children’s music teacher.

He may look like a labrador but Pippin is also half collie, and predicted to learn quickly.  He already sits when offered treats or meals (including when these are not on offer but he would like them to be), and stays in a room I am leaving if I put my hand up and say “stay” or “down”.  He is intrigued by the chickens but will leave them alone when restrained by our voices, dropping to the ground in collie fashion.

But like a true labrador, he can’t always restrain his appetites when tempted by grain left behind by the chickens or by the tantalising contents of the dishwasher.  Still, there’s plenty of time yet.  At 10 weeks today, Pippin is a “nipper” in more ways than one.