Video from a two nights ago and from tonight. He gets so excited about walking he sort of shrieks with delight. It's very amusing.
He does much better when not too terribly tired. Both of these sessions were taken just before bedtime.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
12 Months: August vs. Watson
We've had a child gate for years. We use it to keep Watson out of the kitchen when we're not around. Today, Mary used it to keep the baby contained in the living room. He immediately did what Watson has never once done on purpose: test the premise that the gate is sufficient to the physical task. He pulled the gate down. Watson has never tried that.
Thus did August demonstrate that he is now smarter than the dog. Prior to today—for the past couple of weeks—I'd have said they were more or less on par. They both know their names. They both know a few words (August actually has the edge, can communicate with signs, but Watson knows several words/phrases related to balls, sticks, and food).
So let's compare these two on a number of different measures—August vs. Watson
Intelligence: August
As noted above, there has been evidence that August has had the edge for some time now. Verbal acuity alone should cover this, but if it didn't there's plenty of evidence to suggest that Watson is dumber than a box of hammers.
Obedience: Watson
Watson only ignores a command when he's in super-focused hunting mode. That is, when he's chasing a ball, or, for example, approaching another dog at high speed from a hundred yards away across the Boston Common. Otherwise, Watson handles "no" much better than August, who still pretends not to understand what it means, even though he almost certainly does (see "Intelligence", above).
Generosity: August
It's quite simple: August is willing to share his food. Our dog will not. Or rather, it's not that he wouldn't share, it's just that he'd eat something before he had the chance to evaluate the possibility of sharing it.
Coordination: Watson
Watson is a very graceful athlete, and has been since he was a tiny little puppy. Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching Watson in action during a game of fetch will allow that he's gifted in that way. August, who can take about 3 steps before falling over, has a long way to go in this department. A challenge for any of us... the dog's got skills!
Fine motor coordination: draw
August has the ability to pick up little objects with his pincer grasp, so you'd think he'd be a shoe-in for this category. However, Watson once moved a mug of coffee, three quarters full, from a coffee table to a spot on the floor several feet away, without spilling a drop.
Tug-o-war: Watson (but it's close)
August is surprisingly persistent in a game of tug-o-war, but Watson has the edge. He's dedicated, and focused, and has a technique that has been honed over the years in dog runs and parks in two major cities, and down on the farm vs. other dogs. Plus, he out-weights August by at least a factor of 4.
Cuteness: August
Few things are cuter than a lab puppy, and Watson was a particularly cute one... and I'd say he was cuter than a vast majority of babies in general! But not cuter than August. Sorry, Watts.
Appetite: Watson
The only time I've ever seen Watson full was after he had devoured several pounds of dry dog food, having torn the corner off a new bag I had carelessly left on the kitchen counter. The kibble must have rained down in a glorious, miraculous shower of plenty, the like of which had never been seen before, and never has since (see opening paragraph re: baby gate). August can give him a run for his money though, especially on his "hungry" days.
Mess-making: August
Watson sheds like no other dog, but August can really make a mess. His favorite pastime is removing objects from tables and putting them on the floor. And with food, though he's much more fastidious than certain other babies I've seen, he still has the ability to make quite a mess. And then there's the fact that Watson actually removes mess. A symbiotic relationship has developed between these two competitors—Watson doing the cleaning from below the high chair (see "Fine motor coordination", above). The one caveat to this award: back when Watson had access to the kitchen (prior to baby gate days, see opening paragraph) he could spread the contents of a garbage can quite evenly across a kitchen floor.
Ball-toss: Watson
As of today, Watson is a far more reliable partner for a game of toss... it might be his only real "trick".
Sleeping: Watson
No contest!
I feel lucky to have them both. Hang in there Watson... long run, you don't stand a chance, but I can't resist an underdog!
Thus did August demonstrate that he is now smarter than the dog. Prior to today—for the past couple of weeks—I'd have said they were more or less on par. They both know their names. They both know a few words (August actually has the edge, can communicate with signs, but Watson knows several words/phrases related to balls, sticks, and food).
So let's compare these two on a number of different measures—August vs. Watson
Intelligence: August
As noted above, there has been evidence that August has had the edge for some time now. Verbal acuity alone should cover this, but if it didn't there's plenty of evidence to suggest that Watson is dumber than a box of hammers.
Obedience: Watson
Watson only ignores a command when he's in super-focused hunting mode. That is, when he's chasing a ball, or, for example, approaching another dog at high speed from a hundred yards away across the Boston Common. Otherwise, Watson handles "no" much better than August, who still pretends not to understand what it means, even though he almost certainly does (see "Intelligence", above).
Generosity: August
It's quite simple: August is willing to share his food. Our dog will not. Or rather, it's not that he wouldn't share, it's just that he'd eat something before he had the chance to evaluate the possibility of sharing it.
Coordination: Watson
Watson is a very graceful athlete, and has been since he was a tiny little puppy. Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching Watson in action during a game of fetch will allow that he's gifted in that way. August, who can take about 3 steps before falling over, has a long way to go in this department. A challenge for any of us... the dog's got skills!
Fine motor coordination: draw
August has the ability to pick up little objects with his pincer grasp, so you'd think he'd be a shoe-in for this category. However, Watson once moved a mug of coffee, three quarters full, from a coffee table to a spot on the floor several feet away, without spilling a drop.
Tug-o-war: Watson (but it's close)
August is surprisingly persistent in a game of tug-o-war, but Watson has the edge. He's dedicated, and focused, and has a technique that has been honed over the years in dog runs and parks in two major cities, and down on the farm vs. other dogs. Plus, he out-weights August by at least a factor of 4.
Cuteness: August
Few things are cuter than a lab puppy, and Watson was a particularly cute one... and I'd say he was cuter than a vast majority of babies in general! But not cuter than August. Sorry, Watts.
Appetite: Watson
The only time I've ever seen Watson full was after he had devoured several pounds of dry dog food, having torn the corner off a new bag I had carelessly left on the kitchen counter. The kibble must have rained down in a glorious, miraculous shower of plenty, the like of which had never been seen before, and never has since (see opening paragraph re: baby gate). August can give him a run for his money though, especially on his "hungry" days.
Mess-making: August
Watson sheds like no other dog, but August can really make a mess. His favorite pastime is removing objects from tables and putting them on the floor. And with food, though he's much more fastidious than certain other babies I've seen, he still has the ability to make quite a mess. And then there's the fact that Watson actually removes mess. A symbiotic relationship has developed between these two competitors—Watson doing the cleaning from below the high chair (see "Fine motor coordination", above). The one caveat to this award: back when Watson had access to the kitchen (prior to baby gate days, see opening paragraph) he could spread the contents of a garbage can quite evenly across a kitchen floor.
Ball-toss: Watson
As of today, Watson is a far more reliable partner for a game of toss... it might be his only real "trick".
Sleeping: Watson
No contest!
I feel lucky to have them both. Hang in there Watson... long run, you don't stand a chance, but I can't resist an underdog!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
12 Months: Photo(s)
Nice photo Mary took yesterday. I've been all alone here in Boston—Mary & August having stayed behind in Idaho following the Christmas season. I'm told he's become much more confident on his feet, and I can see from this and other photos that he's already changed, in just the two weeks since I saw him last. He changes every day, and I've been missing out.
Meanwhile, we've been working hard at my office, several late nights this week. Without resident dog walkers (Mary and August) I've been forced to retrieve the dog in the early evening and bring him with me to the office. He's become a fixture with the team, and is quite comfortable hangout around there. Photo below, by Sam Brelsfoard, who runs our QA team.
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