February 7, 2018

White Dog nodded sympathetically. "THAT is why I prefer to sleep in my suite in the office. Fewer night-time distractions. But it IS kind of amusing in a White Dog sort of way."

Steve has gently introduced Roman to the dog door several times since he arrived on Sunday. Interest was passing but Roman began watching the others go in and out at their whim. He has walked up to the door on both sides and touched it with his nose before hopping away. There has been no pressure for him to use the door; we understood that he would either catch on from the others or this weekend we would have an actual training session.

Last night after walks he once again watched the Army come and go for "last outs" before treats and bed. He was even brave enough to push the flap up over his head but quickly scuttled back down the ramp that gently helps the dogs over the threshold.

Then we all settled, said "good nights" and shut off the light. Roman was resting in the open crate between Nilla and Stormer on his mat.

I was awakened by one of the pups going out sometime later. I always listen for sounds of distress and to make sure they come back in. Whoever it was came back in...and went back out...and came back in...

This is the pattern we have witnessed each time a newbie learns the joy and independence of dog door mastery. It becomes an in-and-out dance lasting hours....except it does not usually happen in the middle of the night.

It was Roman. He was charged and in awe of his new power as he once again went out and stood calling the others to come out and play.

"Get in here. It is," I leaned to look over Steve, "1:30 in the morning." I hissed. He continued to bark but came in far enough to stick his head inside and repeat his invitation. It woke Steve up...as well as just about everyone else in the room. Zso went out...Sachi jumped off of the bed and followed. Bella not wanting to miss a party scooted out. Steve sighed.

He pulled on clothes and went into the yard to round up the partiers. One-by-one they climbed through the dog door and resettled into bed. Roman came in at Steve's side.

Steve held his face and told him it was time to sleep, not play. Roman dutifully laid down in the crate...until Steve pulled HIS blankets back into place. Roman was then back outside.

"You are going to have to put him under house arrest," I mumbled. When Pearl first arrived she, too, would go for deep night forays into the yard and would bark at traffic on Route 66. We purchased a training leash that was 50' long and fastened the loop on the bookcase in the living room. We could clip her to the lead which gave her access to most of the house but she could not reach the dog door.  This was house arrest; she quickly learned the rules.

Steve put Roman on the lead and our new boy hopped up on the momma chair to sleep. All was good.

Just before the alarm, Steve saw a flash of white, a big one, and heard the door bang. When he looked out of the blinds after rising, Roman was happily pacing the yard, dragging the lead that he had spent the night chewing through.