Training Begins...Or Continues

I remember when we first brought Bunny home two years ago.  In some ways, that feels so long ago, and in others, it feels like just yesterday.  In most ways, she moved into our lives seamlessly.  It was as if she'd been here with us forever. 

However, there was one area where she was really difficult, and I've talked about it here on the blog before.  She had never been on the end of a leash, as far as we could tell.  Walking a trout on a line down the street would have been easier, and possibly less amusing for my neighbors.  It wasn't her fault, she just didn't have the experience.  I'll confess that we didn't walk much that summer.  Every time we did, it was a struggle.  I saw Blueberry walking perfectly with Mr. Taleteller and it reminded me about how easy and fun Treat had been to walk, not to mention how hard it was, and it just depressed me.

That Fall, I decided that something had to be done.  I wanted to return to nursing home visits, as well as take her to all kinds of other fun events.  We entered obedience class.  That whole experience was great for us, and Bunny tied for top honors on graduation night, which is a story in itself that I can't remember if I've told on the blog or not.  She did so much better in obedience than I'd hoped for, and afterwards, although we still mostly use the harness, she was a much better walking companion.

Now we have added Morgan to the mix.  She isnt terrible on the leash by any means, but she pulls like a frieght train.  I have avoided taking her anywhere by myself thus far because I'm not sure I can hold her back, and I really don't fancy the idea of me being in the local papers or on the news as the woman who was dragged along in the first-ever German Shepherd rodeo. 

Of course, this problem is easily remedied if you're willing to do the work required to teach your dog how to walk with leash manners.  Morgan's education began Tuesday night.  As we headed out for our evening walk, a training collar was slipped over her head and Mr. Taleteller took along his bait bag full of treats.  Bunny and I walked on ahead.  Blueberry was busy with a bone and decided not to join us and Lilac was napping, no doubt getting ready for her early wake up call.  After we got down to almost the end of our street, Mr. Taleteller called out and asked us to wait.  Bunny and I stood patiently waiting while he reminded Morgan about where she was supposed to be walking and to have good manners.  When they caught up to us, he switched back to her other collar and we walked at ease for a while. 

Occasionally, when Morgan was walking well in the place where Mr. Taleteller wanted her, he would give her a small treat.  Bunny is no stranger to the bait bag.  She knows exactly what that means.  Soon, she was showing Morgan exactly what you have to do to get treats.  She pranced along in perfect heel position, sat on command, and just generally exhibited model behavior.  She had Mr. Taleteller treating her at every turn, and she was quite proud of herself.  She batted her eyelashes at him and treats fell right into her mouth. 

I have a feeling that Morgan's going to learn how to walk with manners very quickly!

Training Humans Is Tough, But Rewarding

Bunny here, finally getting my turn with the laptop! 

You might have read earlier this week that I was a bit upset with Dad after he stepped on my tail.  I have to say, that really smarted.  However, I'm a forgiving kind of girl.  It's much easier to go take a nap than to hold a grudge, plus, you might miss out on some petting opportunities that way.  So, I was willing to let it go and forget about it.

Well, the next morning I was having a very pleasant nap and wouldn't you know, Dad had to come in and interrupt me.  He had the nerve to ask me to get off the bed!  How am I supposed to get my morning nap in without the bed to sleep in?  He said he needed to make the bed.  That would just figure, after I'd gotten the quilts arranged just the way I liked them. 

I came to the living room and told Mom all about it, but my nap was already ruined.  At least Mom gave me her yogurt cup and let me curl up in her spot when she got up to go to work.  I had no choice, I had to give Dad the cold shoulder again.  At this point, I'm starting to have doubts about my abilities to train these people.  Perhaps I'm a failure as a human trainer!

Wednesday morning was a whole different story, though.  Dad woke us all up at some inhumane hour when there aren't even any cats out prowling around and drug us outside to use the powder room.  Again, I was having serious doubts about my methods and abilities for training my humans.  After he let us back in, I got back in bed where everyone belongs at that hour and curled up next to Mom.  Dad left go to on his special trip and we were all still sleeping.  Even Lilac went back to sleep, which has to be some kind of miracle!

Mom got up when her alarm went off and gave me a little tummy rub.  She went in the bathroom for a little bit and then came in and folded up Dad's quilt.  Then she tugged on the other one and told me to move over.  She asked me to get off the bed and said that same nonsense about how she had to make it.  I rolled over and offered to let her rub my tummy for good luck.  I mean, doesn't everybody's day go better after a good tummy rub?  She rubbed it a little and then still told me to get off the bed.  I batted my eyelashes at her and wagged while still showing my tummy.  She sighed and then she made the bed around me.  Mom told me that I could lay in there as long as I didn't mess it up.  Score!

So, perhaps I'm not as bad at training these humans as I feared.  Mom's training is really exceeding my expectations now.  Is it possible that my dad is defective or something?  Oh, and Mom has to work late tonight, so I probably won't get to visit much until maybe later this evening or weekend.