My Dog Gus's Favorite TV Program

My golden retriever, Gus, watching television. Although many dogs will pause in front of TV to watch an action packed commercial, Gus interest in television goes way beyond passing glance. He has a preference program and watching movies. He enjoys cartoons, but will opt for the more serious areas, and we can usually count on any of the Animal Planet program that hold his attention. Gus has no interest in advertising, he walks away from TV when his program was terminated

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There is a show that he prefers above all others, but, before I tell you my top choice, I think it's a little background on golden retrievers in general and my particular will put Gus behavior in perspective.

You might think golden retrievers are pretty much all the same. Merry, demonstrative, dependable with everyone, and their kindly expression says it all. This is an accurate description of the breed in general, but each also has a unique golden personality. Gus is my third Golden Retriever. Believe me, they are not all the same. Chelsea, my first Golden was very enthusiastic dog. "Untrainable, " proclaimed expert I hired in desperation. To Chelsea, going for a walk meant running down the sidewalk at top speed with me skidding along on the other end of her leash. Open the doors are an invitation to dash straight out into traffic. Guests at my house suffered through her jump-tempo-pant-repeat the ritual while the frayed nerves. Ate shoes, $ 20 bills, Brillo pads, glass Christmas tree ornaments and holly berries. She was dedicated to me and I loved her, but Marley had nothing to Chelsea.

My other golden retriever, Augie, he gave me the rescue groups who managed to sneak it from the pet store warehouse in the middle of the night. Deemed "unsellable" because of hip displasia, he was hid in the crate for the week, which was scheduled for euthanasia. After living in Chelsea for 14 years, Augie's peaceful nature of a welcome surprise. He stayed with me without a leash, not swallow a foreign body, or eat poisonous plants, and not once has he jump all over our guests. Aware of the dangers of traffic, it is wise to avoid on the street. But, occasionally, Augie would wander our property. Do not worry, though. Ever trusting, when he finally awoke from his reverie, he would simply call the nearest house. Over time, if Augie is gone, as we have learned to expect an invitation to come bring him off the latest rescuer couch. Augie is endeared to all who knew him, including the local "Dog Catcher", which brought it home one morning wearing an orange in his mouth. When he told me he had an orange in his mouth when he wandered off, she explained that it was taken from the child's lunch bag in the school yard down the street and was obviously very attached to it, because she could not pry it out of his stubborn clenched jaw. Augie is still much missed.

Gus, my third Golden Retriever, was easily trained and housebroken. He, like Augie, walk with me without a leash. His sensitivity to sit, stay, lie down, go back and retrieve the command admiration, and he does not know their left from right. Impressive! But he is a stubborn streak and will sit in our car for hours waiting for a ride to the beach. If this ploy fails, he will walk to the beach, more than a mile away.

We first discovered Gus was unusually high "IQ TV", when about 6 months old. That was when my husband, Freddy, was entertaining his brother with a video of himself training Gus. There are parts of the supply, leash walking and listening to various commands, interspersed with witty quips by Freddy on Gus progress. Through video, Gus Sat front and center, watching himself being trained on the television. We were amused by his attention to the video, but it was his reaction to the finale that really surprised us. This is a clip Freddy Gus commands sit and stay while Freddy filled his food dish, put it on the floor and gave the release command, which is sharply saying, "OK!. the moment of real life, Gus saw and heard that Freddy may order the video, he suddenly turned and made ​​a bee-line directly to our kitchen, which was where his food bowl was placed in the video. Clearly, Gus realizes what he sees on television, but he thinks it's happening right now, as it looks.

So, what is Gus's favorite TV program? First, I should explain that his interests are diverse. Another Day, he was engrossed in an hour of the cat. Tonight's watched the movie "Lost World" with Bob Hoskins. Not too long ago, I arrived home after being away for a week, awaiting the enthusiastic greeting from Gus, but, instead, it was eerily quiet when I entered when I asked about Gus residence, Freddy told me he has not watched television. So, I went into the family room, thinking Gus will come running. When I heard, he just turned his head towards me, nodded and turned back on TV. His message was clear: "Oh Hi, can you just wait 'til this program is over?" I watched a murder mystery.

But, yes, Gus is a very popular TV program. His choice should not be many surprises. He absolutely loves watching "Lassie"! He sits near the screen, his eyebrows arching up and down, eyes flitting back and forth, raising his head, with interruptions, and he barks when Lassie and Timmy are in danger. If Lassie whimpers, Gus whimpers. He certainly understands the story-line and, based on his reaction to his training video, he thinks it's all happening right then, before him, in vivid colors - and maybe even a black and white. No wonder you find so exciting television! I wonder what the Dog Whisperer of Gus TV-IQ!