Doggie School: Week 5

First class: 2/1/11
Second class: 2/8/11
Third class: 2/15/11
Fourth class: 2/22/11
Fifth class: 3/1/11
5/6 Classes

Tuesday was my 5th doggie class! Mommy and daddy went with me, and mommy trained with me. We got there early, and I was able to play with some of the doggies before class, which we don’t usually have time for.

As usual, I couldn’t wait to get to class — mommy cut up such yummy-smelling chicken and cheese. I was already tasting it! I don’t get sick in the car anymore, but I’m not liking this seat belt I have to use!

This seat belt keeps me in my seat, but it moves around my body and ends up under my arm. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good seat belt for big puppies?

Since we got to class early, I met up with Harry (right) outside. Looks like he needs more practice with “No Jumping,” ’cause he was jumping up all over me!

Harry may be a jumper, but you have to overlook that because he’s just so darn cute!

Jack (left) is a Sheba Inu, and he has sooo much energy. I have his energy, but at home. In class for some reason, I get all mellow and show off my respectable behavior.

Getting back to Jack, I think he was going to tell me a secret, but my daddy started to walk away.

Then there’s the other Bailey… she seems all nice at first, but don’t let that cute little doggie fool you. First she gave me a kiss, then she growled at me!

After I talked with some of the other doggies, the teacher told everyone to take a seat. It was time to work!

Here’s what we worked on in class:

• Sit / Stay (at our seats)
• Down / Stay (at our seats)
• Sit / Stay & Walk Away (in front of the class)
• After Sit / Stay above, Call to Come (in front of the class)
• Leave it (first from palm of hand, then from the floor, then from my paw!)
• Touch nose to mommy’s palm
• Loose Leash Walking (with distractions — walking around other dogs)

I did really well in class. I got up in front of the whole class with mommy, and showed everyone that I could stay sitting even though she walked away from me.

Then we walked all around the class, in between the doggies. That’s very distracting, you know! While it was my turn to walk around, the other doggies had to try and ignore me. I knew that was really hard to do, but I was able to watch mommy and know exactly what she wanted me to do. Of course, it didn’t hurt to keep getting treats. 😉

Then we practiced “Leave it” again. I was able to leave the cheese alone in mommy’s hand, so the teacher told mommy to put the cheese on the floor. After I showed mommy that I could leave the cheese alone on the floor, the teacher told her to put it on my paw! Ahhh, that was so strange! It’s just so unnatural for a doggie to stare at a piece of cheese on her paw.

Nala’s great at leaving a piece of cheese (or other food) on her nose. Mommy can put cheese on her nose, then tell her OK and Nala will throw her head back so the food goes flying in the air… and then she catches it! Mommy once tried to put cheese on my nose, but that didn’t work out so well. I remember I squirmed A LOT and mommy and HS couldn’t stop laughinnnng.

But yeah, cheese on my paw? I can do that.

Mommy and daddy were so proud of me. I think I impressed them with my doggie skills.

Classes always make me so tired. I wonder if the other doggies get as tired as I do. When I got home that night, I slept for hours. Daddy says I sleep after class because I work so hard. I think I fall asleep because my mind is so filled with all the lessons — there’s so much to remember!

Next week is graduation — I wonder if I’ll get a certificate? The teacher said she’s going to introduce us to tunnels. Not quite sure what that is, but I love school so much, that I’m sure I’ll love the tunnels. Maybe mommy and daddy will sign me up for another class… I can only hope. <3 Woofs & hugs, ~Bailey