We decided that we should get out early for a long walk, before the heat and humidity drove us inside to enjoy the air conditioning. Since all three of us were on the walk, I decided to allow Rockwell the freedom of the expandable leash and he romped with abandon. It was fun to watch him lope along and play with discarded plastic water bottles. Even if I do want to harm those people who toss their trash like they don't belong on this planet - grr.

My theory about ignoring bad behaviour was reinforced recently by an encounter with a middle aged little dog named Casey (I think he is a Lhasa Apso - is that right Kathleen?). Rockwell bounced over to Casey and wanted to play but Casey actually turned his back on Rockwell and ignored him completely. Within less than a minute of being so severely ignored, Rockwell had abandoned the attempt to make Casey play and was lying on the grass, chewing a stick while Kathleen and I continued to talk. A while later, Rockwell tried to get Casey to play again and this time, Casey growled and snapped at Rockwell. This only encouraged my puppy! He bounced all around Casey, oblivious to the fact that the attention he was getting from him was negative. Then Casey gave him the cold shoulder and Rockwell left him alone. Very interesting.