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December 7, 2011

PetSafe® Expert

Stacie Greene

Getting Cooper on Santa’s Nice List

By Stacie Greene, Supply Chain Specialist at PetSafe

We all know it can feel like a full-time job trying to keep ourselves on Santa’s nice list, and it is just as challenging to keep our furry children on that list as well.  Our pets generally want to please us.  But, it’s up to us as pet owners to teach them just what we expect and how to comply.  I am amazed and perplexed by people who adopt new pets and expect them to come pre-programmed with that information! 

Training is a commitment and requires a big investment of time and patience.  But the return on that investment is a well-adjusted, happy pet who fits appropriately into your household.  I’ve worked all year long to make sure that Cooper is well-behaved.  He is friendly and genuinely has a happy disposition.  In my opinion, he is exceptionally well behaved and intelligent for a furry child who just turned one.  Most days he is far better behaved than I am. In fact, I sometimes wonder who is training whom in this partnership we share!                

Don’t get me wrong.  Even my wonderful little Cooper isn’t quite perfect.  He gets himself into mischief from time to time.  Yet, he’s so darn cute that there is no way to get mad at him.  Even if I do get a little put out, it’s impossible to STAY mad for long.  Cooper learns very quickly.  There have been many times that I start to worry that he is TOO smart. We work on good behavior and making good decisions every day.  I often have to remind myself that Cooper, at only a year old, is still a puppy.  I am way past one year old, and I can’t say I always make the best decisions.                

In most areas, Cooper’s conduct scores are high.  But in the area of superfluous “talking”, he needs improvement!  Cooper is what I like to call a “social butterfly” who just loves to talk.  He always has something to say.  This has been our biggest hurdle to overcome if we have any hope of Cooper staying on Santa’s nice list. He is one of the best potty trained pooches I have ever known. He is not destructive at all.  He just likes to talk.  I have no idea who he is using as a role model for this type of behavior…                

Getting Cooper on Santa’s nice list and keeping him there will always be a work in progress.  This holds true for all of us.  The real trick is to see the joy and happiness in getting to spend time with our furry children to improve their behavior.  Socializing our pets and sharing more of the outside world with them pays off in a big way.  Cooper is my constant companion.  We spend 24 hours a day together almost every day.  It is crucial for him to understand what is appropriate so he has acceptable behavior.  Being a good boy will keep him on Santa’s nice list all year long, and it will ensure we are able to continue spending as much time together as we do now.

Cooper is my pride and joy.  I love him just like other people love their human children.  I will always work to keep him on Santa’s nice list.  I am grateful for him every day, but even more so during this magical time of year.  I hope all of you enjoy your families—especially the furry members—during this holiday season.  May each and every one of you make Santa’s nice list this year!

ABOUT STACIE

Stacie Greene is a Supply Chain Specialist for PetSafe, head quartered in Knoxville, TN. She works to manage part of a global supply chain to deliver the best possible products for our customers. She has a BS in Operations Management, and 14 years experience in procurement, supply chain management and strategic sourcing. Her Lhasa apso, Cooper, logs the same hours at the office as Stacie. She volunteers with the Most Pet Friendly Community initiative that has a mission of making Knoxville, Tennessee the most pet friendly community in America.

Written by

Stacie Greene

Stacie Greene

PetSafe® Supply Chain Specialist

PetSafe® Expert

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