Big news! Frank graduated from puppy school last weekend. He looks rather pleased with himself in the above photo, eh? Sadly, homeboy didn’t have much to be smiling about. I know, so mean of me to say, huh? But I only speak the truth. It’s not like I really care if he can roll over or do tricks anyways but it would be helpful if he could, you know, “stay” on command. I blame his poor showing on his sheer stubbornness and our lack of time in following through with him each week (yes I am aware that only a crazy person would get a puppy while planning a wedding). The highlight of the final exam day was the fact each owner had to go up in front of the whole class and perform the routine with their dogs. If I would have been privy to this information prior to class, Frank and I would have conveniently “been under the weather” that day.
When I was told this information upon arrival I silently cursed Brian for being at a fantasy football draft and leaving me to tackle such a task alone. As I watched a few dogs effortlessly perform the routine of sit, watch, touch, stand, stay and come I began to sweat…the other dogs had it down. It was then I heard Frank’s name called. I glanced down at Frank…our eyes met with concern…it was game time. We tentatively walked up on stage and went through the routine with all eyes on us a bit stunned. IT WAS A SHIT SHOW. At one point Frank just layed down and stared at me when I said “come”. Asshole.
So pretty much I paid 125.00 to have a dog that will simply sit for me but only if I am offering him a seriously delicious treat- lox being his top fav. At least he’s cute, right?
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Bacon! That was our trick when we were “training” Cholula to come to her name. You fry up a pound of bacon. Give the dog a little bite every time they come to their name. Then, after a while, give them a treat every OTHER time they come to their name. By the time the pound of bacon is done, they know their name.
IN THEORY.
(We sent Cholula to a two-week boarding/training camp. It saved us.)
In time, he may learn to roll over, without benefit of a helpful foot. Til then, just enjoy him for who he is. 🙂
Oh Kate, you crack me up!
We did those too with my dog! Bichons are not known for being particularly smart when it comes to commands-mine was probably the worst behaved in that class but he did learn most of the commands. 14 years later he still knows how to do them but he won’t do them unless we have a treat. They never taught us at obedience school how to wean them off of treats! And he doesn’t really understand the words, he only understand the hand gestures. In fact, when you take out a treat in front of our dog, even before you say or move your hand, he’ll start doing all his tricks in anticipation! It’s pretty funny. Don’t feel bad, my dog isn’t very smart either.