What does the Dog Say?

One of our dogs is very picky about what is going on around him when he is outside doing his business. If he hears kids playing somewhere, even though he can’t see them, he can’t 'go', and God forbid he hear another dog bark in the distance, then he is totally out, completely folds, and runs for the door, done or not.  For all us grownups know, the dog in the distance barked, “I’m going to kick your ass”, so, rightfully so, he should run inside like a little girl. 

Our other dog also gets very distract while going to the bathroom.  If a bird flies by making sounds, she looks up as if she is sure the bird is talking to her.  The same thing goes with airplanes.  I’m sure she has no idea what they are, but I am just as sure that she thinks that they know who she is.  One time, this little, observant dog was taking way too long to go to the bathroom while my husband was taking her out, so he decided to let out a loud bark himself to see what would happen.  He thought she would know it was him, but she didn’t.  She got so scared and ran right to the door.  It was pretty funny.  Again, we have no idea what different barks mean and, for all we know, his bark told her, “give me all of your treats or I am coming after you, your other dog friend, and your family!”. Maybe it is part of a "barking chain", as described in the movie 101 Dalmatians.

Since it is hard to get these dogs to do their business outside sometimes, I am afraid to sneeze or hick up while walking them for fear that those sounds might tell them I am going to tickle them, eat grass until you get stick,  or something!