Friday...World's Greatest Dog??

Last night I watched the finale for the World's Greatest Dog. For all of you who haven't ever heard of, let alone watched, this show I will explain the basic premise. Ten or so dog owners and their dogs lived in a house together, competed in obedience and agility competitions, and then were judged by "doggy professionals"...(i.e. the editors of Dog Fancy Magazine)....Well, last night the competition came down to a boxer and a little maltese. The boxer was a puppy with a really cute owner that you could tell just loved his dog, and the maltese was a mature dog who was extremely (to put it mildly) attached to his "mom". They were both great dogs with a lot of talent, but you could tell that the little dog was at a disadvantage due to her well ... "littleness". In the end, the boxer won and I imagined little dogs and their owners everywhere going to bed depressed.

I have watched it this entire season in anticipation of proving to myself that my dog "Friday" could not only have been on that show, but could have possibly won it. I know that any of you who actually know Friday are aware that this is not only unlikely but absolutely ridiculous, but I still have hope. She is fairly well-trained dog...she does pee on her pad, sit, stay, rollover (when she's in the mood), and shake, but after that...it's all down hill. I have worked with her from the day she was born to be loving and kind. I have read every Ceasar Milan book, watched all his videos, and have tried every technique, but nothing seems to help her.

Number one, she hates other dogs, at least dogs she doesn't know very well. We go for walks every morning and I literally have to hide her eyes from every dog that walks past. Occasionally, an owner will say, "that's ok, my dog loves everyone...and she's sooo cute." And then Friday will proceed to run directly towards the dog (no matter how large), bark in their face and nip at their heels. This, in turn, scares the other dog, and the owner who quickly walks away, usually with the parting comment, "you really should take that dog to training school." It's even worse when I put her on the bike in her doggy basket and ride around the neighborhood. I know Friday can't talk, but I swear I have heard her say to dogs walking by..."I'll get you my doggy and your pansy owner too!"

Number two, she is very protective of me and will basically kill anyone who tries to pet, talk, or hold her when I'm around. It's gotten so bad that she sleeps with my clothes every night and goes "ballistic" if anyone tries to touch them...including me.

Number three, she barks at everything...the trash truck, a dog walking by, a door shutting, the grass growing...and she won't stop until she has made sure that the "noise" knows who's boss. She has severe "little dog" syndrome and is constantly trying to prove that she's a bad ass.

.....So as you can see, Friday probably doesn't have any chance of becoming the World's Greatest Dog because, basically, she is not...I do love her though and really wish that others could get to know her better. She is actually very sweet... when she's asleep.. and, as long as you have treats, she will even let you pet her. Just don't try to walk away afterwards, because she will eat you alive. Case in point...the kind stewardess everytime we fly "loves yorkies" but immediately after meeting Friday, changes her mind and suddenly decides she's a cat person.