Re Lostgal What should I have said about his 'look' so that he didn't turn and walk away pouting?
Lg, I think some things are better left out of conversations. His look was "his look", and maybe it would have been better to pass it by. I know, hard to do.
Actually both the comment about the Look and him saying will this lead to an argument were both button pushing or taking the bait, or what ever you want to call them.
I learned the less I said while working in the delinquent boy's group home, the less things were stirred up.
I have no doubt you knew something about his look and what it meant to him and you, but was the main point of the conversation about how best to walk the dog, or making sure everyone was saying things in a proper manner.
I know BB and I get distracted by looks, body language, and tone of voice. I work hard at not responding the "extras parts of the conversation." Gee's, I want to work things out but the extras make it difficult.
Lil said, make believe you are looking at a chess game and don't be a player in the game. Be above the board and stay out of the OP's crap.
You can't fix them or teach them to sing with you if they don't want to. Maybe they just want to whistle or hum for the rest of the musical event.
About walking the dog, what are some of your H's ideas? Go over them before the dog needs walking. Things like is the dog over weight, has other medical problems like under active thyroid, joint problems, how much food to feed the dog and what brand/version, snacks or no snacks.
Do some of this before a scheduled event takes place. Avoid deciding at the moment when an activity needs to be carried out. BB and I have been through this like the dogs are kids. Here is a good resource web site Cesar Millan, Inc.
