I can see why you regularly consult this guy. He is SO GOOD. Even MY life feels like it could become one long cavalcade of treats after this class!!!!!
As a dog person like you, I was horrified to learn of the bitings. I’m not a psychologist, dog or otherwise, but I thought it must be pretty stressful to be a German shepherd in charge of keeping your humans safe with so many people around acting like they own the place. Of course, I naturally sympathize with Commander and think it’s crazy that a dog trainer wasn’t immediately employed. In any case, your dog comics made my day. I’m a middle school teacher, and my students sometimes try the “nose down” look on me. It only works for dogs though, or maybe for tiny humans with their grandparents.
Why not get that dog whisperer, you know, what's his name, Cesar something. He used to be on tv all over the place, here in England... He could also tame that, ahem, tfg.
My border collie, Loki, suggests your nameless advisor add 'presentation of the "pretty paw"' to this list, guaranteed to be 100% effective on even the most cold-hearted of humans.
Yes. That is a good one. At my house we just call it holding hands. But 'the pretty paw' is something out of Hans Christian Anderson. Its got a fairy tale ring to it.
The 'pretty paw' is very different from holding hands, it is a distinct action where the paw is hooked over the forearm of the human you wish to manipulate whilst you sit and gaze at them with adoring eyes.
Maybe you should add both this AND holding hands to your excellent advice for Commander Biden.
Thank you for shedding light and not just more heat on this issue! It has all been very upsetting and mystifying and this is by far the best commentary and analysis to date.
While they certainly love their dogs, this just might be the wrong breed for the environment, as you pointed out. There are gobs of people coming and going, more "alpha" males like secret service and law enforcement around. Commander is by instinct trying to protect his family and their "castle." That's his job, the one he is bred for. It's unfair to him if he is not trained for the situation. They are beautiful dogs, but even walking outside in my neighborhood and passing a young German Shepherd fairly often, we experience the same thing. She wants to confront us. She is young and in training. This cartoon strip really gave me a good laugh. Thank you!
"Unaware that it made her look like Hannibal Lecter, she didn’t seem to mind wearing it" is one of your funniest sentences EVER, only made funnier by the happy la-la-la face of the doggo in question
Edit: I'm actually wondering why Commander is biting those particular Secret Service guys. I'm thinking there's something in their energy that he's sensing, you know? Anyway. --PP
They’re beautiful dogs. Loyal to their people. Strong. I have learned that working dogs need a job to do. Mine is a hound/pit mix but there’s some kind of herding instinct she must have. She follows behind my legs. Room to room and around in circles.
Unless she’s outside on a scent..But also is protective as female pits can be. She’s a puzzle sometimes!
I think Ms Markoe should offer her canine corrective services on a federal level and be rewarded with no local, state or fed taxes ever again. And throw in one of those buttons for the dash that make all the lights turn green too 👍
Your country thanks you. 💋
I can see why you regularly consult this guy. He is SO GOOD. Even MY life feels like it could become one long cavalcade of treats after this class!!!!!
Haaa. Yes. I could be.
Oops. should say IT could be
As a dog person like you, I was horrified to learn of the bitings. I’m not a psychologist, dog or otherwise, but I thought it must be pretty stressful to be a German shepherd in charge of keeping your humans safe with so many people around acting like they own the place. Of course, I naturally sympathize with Commander and think it’s crazy that a dog trainer wasn’t immediately employed. In any case, your dog comics made my day. I’m a middle school teacher, and my students sometimes try the “nose down” look on me. It only works for dogs though, or maybe for tiny humans with their grandparents.
I do like it when they bring me presents though.
Why not get that dog whisperer, you know, what's his name, Cesar something. He used to be on tv all over the place, here in England... He could also tame that, ahem, tfg.
My border collie, Loki, suggests your nameless advisor add 'presentation of the "pretty paw"' to this list, guaranteed to be 100% effective on even the most cold-hearted of humans.
Yes. That is a good one. At my house we just call it holding hands. But 'the pretty paw' is something out of Hans Christian Anderson. Its got a fairy tale ring to it.
The 'pretty paw' is very different from holding hands, it is a distinct action where the paw is hooked over the forearm of the human you wish to manipulate whilst you sit and gaze at them with adoring eyes.
Maybe you should add both this AND holding hands to your excellent advice for Commander Biden.
Yours Faithfully,
Loki, Lord of Mischief (6 year old Border Collie)
Thanks for this, Merrill. I love your art, in all its forms. I do have a question. Maybe others are wondering this, as well:
Did anyone bother to ask whether these individuals bit Commander first?!!
good point. i dont know..
Thank you for shedding light and not just more heat on this issue! It has all been very upsetting and mystifying and this is by far the best commentary and analysis to date.
This is PEAK Merrrill Markoe! Sending it to my friends
with German Shepherds!
I’m very impressed by the amount of creative work you’ve put into this strip.
Thank you. I am nothing if not an over achiever.
Nose down eyes up plus slow smile is my Halloween face, but I am not a German Shepherd.
While they certainly love their dogs, this just might be the wrong breed for the environment, as you pointed out. There are gobs of people coming and going, more "alpha" males like secret service and law enforcement around. Commander is by instinct trying to protect his family and their "castle." That's his job, the one he is bred for. It's unfair to him if he is not trained for the situation. They are beautiful dogs, but even walking outside in my neighborhood and passing a young German Shepherd fairly often, we experience the same thing. She wants to confront us. She is young and in training. This cartoon strip really gave me a good laugh. Thank you!
Thanks. I think they can be retrained however....they use them to work with the handicapped sometimes. Not as often as Labradors but...sometimes.
I agree. The Bidens need a beagle. Noisy yes. They’ll lick the Secret Service guys to death. And eat all the treats of course.
"Unaware that it made her look like Hannibal Lecter, she didn’t seem to mind wearing it" is one of your funniest sentences EVER, only made funnier by the happy la-la-la face of the doggo in question
Edit: I'm actually wondering why Commander is biting those particular Secret Service guys. I'm thinking there's something in their energy that he's sensing, you know? Anyway. --PP
blankie!!!
Someone should be looking at the Secret Service agents.
Because my suspicion is that a few of them have been deliberately provoking the dog.
They’re beautiful dogs. Loyal to their people. Strong. I have learned that working dogs need a job to do. Mine is a hound/pit mix but there’s some kind of herding instinct she must have. She follows behind my legs. Room to room and around in circles.
Unless she’s outside on a scent..But also is protective as female pits can be. She’s a puzzle sometimes!
Bravo 👏!!!
Delightful!
I think Ms Markoe should offer her canine corrective services on a federal level and be rewarded with no local, state or fed taxes ever again. And throw in one of those buttons for the dash that make all the lights turn green too 👍
I am in favor of this. But are there really such buttons? Wow.