Train, train, train

In the advanced puppy class, we've been working on developing manners (in the dogs--the humans have to go somewhere else for this), learning how to outsmart (or at least be a step ahead of) the pooch,  and working on some behaviors that should be nipped in the bud.

One tip we learned last night that I think will come in handy is how to wipe wet paws without a towel tug-o-war breaking out. Wet dog comes in and steps on a towel or rug on the floor. Owner holds tasty treat toward dog. The dog advances toward treat. The human steps toward dog and the dog steps back. Repeat several times and the dog has wiped his own paws. Dieter served as the demo dog and it worked like a charm. We also wiped the dog's paws by hand, intoning: wipe your paw, wipe your paw.

We need to nip the grabbyness in the bud. Dieter has pulled over the coat tree a couple of times, torn my magazine that was on the couch, shredded a cat bed, and would like to do the same with a couch pillow. We were advised to try Bitter Apple spray. And to put a nubby (not sharp or spiky) plastic chair mat, nubby side up, on the couch to keep Dieter from hopping up and stealing things. I'm not sure about the latter--my luck, I'll forget and plop down on the nubbies. Ouch!


Then we worked on how to have our puppies meet people--like if you're walking the dog and someone wants to say hi--and not jump all over the person. We are to tell the person that Dieter's in training and that we use a particular method of greeting. We use a treat to guide Dieter over to the person, and position him at a right angle so the person can reach out and pet his back. We're really working a lot more on the puppy jumping--it's both obnoxious and, in the case of certain breeds, potentially frightening.

We had a first-hand example of the fright part in class. During the puppy free romp, Dieter evidently was running full-tilt-boogie toward one of the kids who's in the training class with her mom. She's seemed afraid of her own dog at times and also exhibited fear of Dieter. We suddenly heard her crying and were afraid he'd jumped on her. The mom was very cool, calmed the little girl down, and assured us Dieter hadn't hurt her. But I guess seeing something like this coming toward her was too much.

Don't prejudge me because of my pointy ears. Or my
intense eyes. Or my pretty white teeth. I love everybody.

So Dieter's humans have vowed to work harder on containing his exuberance. I've had a couple of (adult) friends who've confessed they think Dieter looks fierce. My cousin says she thinks it's a combination of his size, his intense eyes, and his pointy ears. That could be the reason--and in class at least, all the other puppies have floppy ears.

Poor boy, so misunderstood.

I've got a couple of calls in to other training places--some tailored for German Shepherds and one that specializes in training Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs. I'd like Dieter to become a therapy dog. He promises he won't scare any patients or nursing home residents.

Until then, it's sit. Stay. Down. Stay. Good boy...