training camp
Last night was our first night of dog training. We were a little nervous about being in the regular Level 1 class since Shorty usually barks and/or growls at new people until he determines they’re not a threat to him or us, but once again, he amazed us with his great behavior.
We arrived early and waited in the hallway, where Shorty alternated between trembling in my lap or hiding behind Jason’s legs, while a cute beagle named Stanley attempted to get his attention by issuing solo barks every once in awhile, and a hyperactive black lab named Edmund knocked his treats out of his owner’s hand and all over the floor. We watched a little terrier arrive, followed by a huge white Ridgeback, a sweet Weimaraner and a Cavalier Spaniel.
Once inside, Shorty immediately peed on the floor, even though he had peed maybe 12 minutes earlier outside. As first-timers, we were given our clickers and some one-on-one instruction. The other new person, a woman with an Australian something-or-other named Casey, had to restrain her dog from coming over to investigate Shorty’s delicious-smelling treats: fresh-baked hot dog pieces.
Shorty was great. He just got it. He wasn’t overly distracted by the other dogs or people, and he pretty much reliably performed all of the tasks after a few tries. The only thing we couldn’t get him to do was follow our hand to sit at our side; instead he preferred to just sit in front of us, which the trainer said was all right because the whole point was to have the dog sit so it wouldn’t jump to greet people. When she approached us to see if Shorty would jump up, he sat quietly. “What a good dog you have,” she gushed.
And he was. He sat attentively, learned to respond to his name, held our gaze for 5 seconds, sat quietly when greeted, ignored a treat in our hand, and even eventually ignored a treat covered by our palm on the floor (after initially gouging us with his claws, thinking, “If I can’t get it by looking cute, I’ll take it by force!”). With some practice, next week he might be ready to graduate to Level 2.
It’s a good thing one of the tests isn’t “Keep Dog From Peeing on the Floor.”
Will work for hot dogs.
I love it! (My biggest fear is that Buster will FREAK OUT and Belle will get weirdly submissive and the peeing will begin… Gah!)
Man, no way would my dogs make it. Buster’s head would explode if he know there was a treat in my hand and he couldn’t get it.
Hmm. We need to go to dog training, yes?
Go, Shorty!
Comment by Artemisia — October 29, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Hey, I just became an aunt to a puppy! I can’t wait to meet her when my sister and BIL come at Christmastime.
Comment by Nowheymama — October 29, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Yay for the start of dog training. Who was your instructor?
Comment by Me Today — October 29, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Me Today, Paula Z. was the instructor and Maureen and Julie were helping out. Julie spent most of her time with the new people (us). Very good people; very nice and helpful.
Comment by Shauna — October 29, 2008 @ 11:57 am
I want a dog so bad. So here’s a dog-related tangent: there’s a 30 Rock episode (which you should watch if you don’t) in which Tracy Morgan wants to have a dog fighting pit in his dressing room because his boss Alec Baldwin told him not to, so when Tracy’s ready in his padded gear, his entourage comes in with two little puppies. It was so hilarious.
Comment by kirida — October 29, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Hot dogs are THE best dog training treat in the world. Good for you! & good for Shorty!! What a smart boy! I used to love dog class (does that seem weird) but there were always other asshole dogs (owners) who ruined it in one way or another. In one of our classes, the couple had a standard size poodle (big!) who basically ran their house. No one person consistently came to training class, it rotated between the mom, dad and teenage son so there was no standardized commands/training. They gave the dog treats WHILE begging him to sit/stay/whatever. No wonder he never did as he was told. The instructor asked why they didn’t put the dog on a Gentle Leader halter (which is fabulous, btw) and the woman told the instructor that the dog didn’t like it and wouldn’t “allow” her to put it on. Now, granted the dog was big, but not that big and not some snarling hellbeast to be afraid of. Anyway, I ramble on but your dog class brought back memories and my feelings that not everyone should be allowed to own a dog. I hope your experiences are better.
Comment by Shelly — October 29, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
I am embarassed to admit my dog was so AWFUL that he got kicked out of doggy school. Seriously. He’s crazy anti-social and hates ALL other dogs. My vet had recommended I take this class to help socialize him since he’s been like this since I adopted him. He barked NONSTOP for an entire HOUR that the class was going on. The trainer finally asked us to please never come back and they refunded my money (I’m so not kidding). It was so embarassing haha.
Comment by sarah — October 29, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
YAY for Shorty! Next up: finalist for MIT scholarship. TOTALLY.
Comment by erin — October 29, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Way to go, Shorty! Don’t you just love it when they make you look good?
Comment by LoriD — October 30, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
That Shorty is too cute!
Comment by Julie — October 30, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
That is awesome! What a good dog.
Comment by Shelly — October 31, 2008 @ 8:45 am