GREENER PASTURES

Sometimes when Greg and Kelly both need to be away from their house, Greg will ask me to look in on Ruckus, let him out to pee, maybe play with him for awhile.  When I get there, I can hear Rucky barking, paws scratching frantically on the window panes of the front door — so happy to see me.  Once I’m inside, he dashes to the backdoor, which I open for him, and he flies into the yard, expectant look on his face.  I use a Chuck-it to fire a tennis ball across the yard; Rucky sprints after it with cheetah-like speed.  Then,with the ball still in his jaws, he puts his front paws on the concrete steps to the backdoor, and stares longingly in at the room where he just was!  I keep him outside, because I want him to get some fresh air.  And for another reason: I know the minute I let him in, he’ll beg to come out again.

Robby and Brianne’s Pickle?  Same deal.  When he’s in their apartment, he wants to go out.  When he’s out, he wants to come in.  Yes, you’re very cute, Picky — but make up your mind!

Here’s what Kemba does in the morning, when he’s in the bedroom, and I’m in the bathroom, getting ready to shower.  I’ll hear a scratching at the bathroom door, so I’ll open up to let him in, closing the door behind him.  He’ll sniff around a bit, maybe take a drink out of the toilet bowl.  Then he’ll want to get out, so I’ll open the bathroom door for him.  I’ll step into the shower, get it going nice and strong . . . and soon I’ll hear my boy scratching at the door again.  Sorry, Kemmy, but I’m not

getting out of this nice hot shower every time you need a change of scenery.

I wondered about this odd behavior, so  I did what you do in  2023 when you wonder: I went on Google and typed in the search box, “Why do dogs always want to be where they’re not?”

Here are a couple of the replies:

You don’t mention whether or not you are going outside with your dog. If you are just opening the door to let them out while you stay inside…your dog is likely thinking “gee, they sure are a slow learner! Why don’t they understand that I want both of us to go outside?” So, if you aren’t accompanying them, try going outside for a bit with them…see if that stops the “revolving door antics.” — Diane Riley, on Quora.com

Dogs need physical and mental stimulation, and . . . they will seek [it] where they can.  Getting you to let them in and out, and then actually getting to go in and out, is a great way for them to get a rush and feel in charge all at the same time. — Wagwalking.com

Here’s the thing, though: I don’t even know why I started this search, because I’m not a huge believer in humans telling me why dogs act the way they do.  My reaction to these experts is always, “Did a dog tell you this?”

So I asked Kemba why he always wants to be where he’s not.  He tilted his head, opened and closed his mouth (that’s his thinking pose), and stared at me.  That’s his story, and he’s sticking to it.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW BEAGLE MAN, KEMBA, AND RICKY ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.