Final exams and graduation day

It’s a sad day in a mother’s life when her baby grows up and graduates from school. Fortunately, mine isn’t leaving home. In fact, he still needs me to feed him, do his laundry and give him a bath. Nevertheless, I gave Larry a talk on graduation day. My dad gave me “the talk” every time I had a life milestone or needed to be reminded to be safe, so I feel talks are an important part of my parenting. So I told Larry how proud I am of him and how well he’s done in class. Then I tried to make him to wear his pretty red bandanna to graduation, but Larry found this embarrassing, so we loaded up the car for the last trip to puppy class.

It wasn’t all fun and games. First there was the “final exam.” Overall, Larry did really well and I got to see how much he’s learned over the past few weeks. “Sit” was a breeze and he even did “stay” as I walked in a circle around him. He came when I called him, but the exercise where another owner called him was super tricky. I explained to him how that exercise was going to work but he still ran the wrong way. It’s like he didn’t even understand what I was saying. But, he was even a pro at loose-leash walking! In the end, Larry did a lot of things I never thought he’d do. He finally learned to lay down on command and will walk on one side of me when we’re out and about. He still chews my socks, but I can give him the “drop it” command and make him stop. And he’s an official puppy school graduate! He even got a graduation card from his grandparents (it was addressed to Larry Young) with a PetSmart gift card that he can’t wait to spend. He’s really been eyeing this huge rawhide chew.

A huge thanks to the amazing Tina Rivera, Larry’s trainer, who has a hilarious blend of patience and honesty. She’s going to post her new training schedule as it comes available at http://www.lakenormandogtraining.com/. Larry is already excited about middle school (the intermediate class). I think Merlin and Pepper might be coming back to school, as well. I know Larry will miss them over summer break. From what Tina explained, intermediate class will work on Larry being able to execute the commands with distractions. This is definitely what we need to work on!

Class Photos

Merlin's mommy and I tried to get Merlin and Larry to sit together for a picture.

This is as close as we got!

Stanley was always really good with the "down" command.

He doesn't have far to go with his short little legs!

Pepper taking a break after final exams.

Merlin doing a great job with "sit"!

Rainy Day

Somehow, rain and thunderstorms seems to follow our little puppy class. And if you know what rain and thunderstorms do to a dog’s attention span you also know it isn’t a good thing. Rain always seems to make Larry act all funky. He especially doesn’t like to be outside in it. At our apartment complex, he walks over to where the covered sidewalk and the grass meet and just sticks his backside out when he has to go potty, leaving his head under the dry walkway. You can only guess how the rain makes Larry feel about doing his puppy training. Add that to the fact that Merlin wanted to play and you get a very distracted Larry. But, I’m amazed at his “sit” and “stay.” He even drops his favorite rope chew toy when I give the “leave it” command. He’s getting much better and now catches on more quickly to new tricks. Friends and family have even been commenting on how good he is.

But this week’s homework could prove to be the most challenging yet. I’m supposed to be taking Larry somewhere that he’ll be around other dogs and try to get him to follow my commands despite all the distractions of new things to sniff. I’m nervous but I think it’ll give Larry a little something new. Maybe it’ll at least tire him out and he’ll stop destroying his toys, like the tennis ball he ate last week. He actually consumed the tennis ball … and the fuzz out of the middle of his other toy … and a Rolo.

Next week is graduation! Check back for class photos!

Spring Break

Class was cancelled, but it hasn’t been a dull week around the Larry Young residence. Monday, he went to the vet’s for THE surgery. He got neutered. I took him in at 8 a.m. and we went through a check-up. Then it was time for him to go back and get ready for surgery and for me to leave. I gave the leash – rather unwillingly – to Larry’s favorite vet tech and bent down to give him a goodbye hug and kiss. But he was already off through the door, leaving me alone to sulk off to the car.

All morning, I could just imagine Larry with a little IV in his paw, lying out on a surgical table. I hoped he wasn’t afraid or mad at me for leaving him there. Finally, the vet called around 11 a.m. to let me know that Larry was out of surgery and I could pick him up at 3 p.m. At 2:59, Jake and I pulled into the parking lot, excited to see Larry and talking about how he would probably be very drowsy and cute. We signed the paperwork and the receptionist called on her little headset “I need Larry Young in the waiting room.” I was thinking about how they were probably having to wake him up and pick him up out of the kennel to carry him in. Then, Larry appeared around the corner, pulling on the poor vet tech at the end of the leash. He ran across the waiting room and skidded on the tile floor as he tried to stop in front of me. We were given his pain medication and told to restrict his activity level for 10 days – no playing, no jumping. Jake and I laughed at the lady. She didn’t appreciate that.

As soon as we got home, Larry was back to his old habits: jumping up on the couch, dragging his toy around the house and eating my plants. I told Larry that if he was well enough to play, he was well enough to do homework. So, we’ve been practicing “stay” a lot to get ready for next week’s class.

Ice cream social

After missing last week’s class for a vacation, Larry was more than ready to get back to his friends this week. Merlin even sent Larry an e-mail telling him all about the homework he missed. This week, we all huddled under the park’s picnic shelter as a heavy rain fell, which seemed to distract all the puppies from going over everything we’d learned up until this point. So, with the puppies more interested in the rain and playing, we took a break. Our trainer brought special doggie ice cream for the pups. The flavor was only explained as “original” so we all wondered what dog ice cream tasted like. When I was “double dog dared” to taste it, I had to give it a lick. From now on, I promise to trust the “Not for humans!” warning label. But Larry loved it! I tried to explain brain freezes to him so he’d stop eating so fast but it somehow got lost in translation.

We allowed the puppies to get out their playtime before starting back to work while all the parents chatted. For us, class has become a kind of puppy-parent support group. We discuss our best tips for teething and potty training and all get relieved when we learn our puppy isn’t the only one with a certain weird habit. Then, we got back to the “stay” command which Larry is picking up on very well. He always tries as hard as he can to sit still but he’s so excited about the upcoming treat that it’s difficult for his little attention span. But, “leave it” is, by far, my favorite command. After a rocky start, he’s gotten much better and will even drop his beloved tennis ball. I tried to use this to teach him to fetch but, overall, Larry just doesn’t understand why I continue to throw his toy. After he retrieves it a few times, I throw it and he gives me these “Why did you do that? It’s annoying!” looks. He far prefers to sit unhindered on the snuggly chair with his blanket to play with the tennis ball.

By next week, Larry must be able to “sit” while I walk about 30 feet away from him. I anticipate lots of homework time.

Report cards

This report card is for: ­­­­­­­­­Larry Young

S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement, S = Unsatisfactory

Comes to class on time - S
Demonstrates self control - N – except if he is tired!
Controls talking/barking - S
Respects others - S – Larry plays well with others!
Respects trainers - S
Plays nicely with others - S – very good playtime manners
Cooperative - N - sometimes Larry is VERY cooperative – needs consistency
Accepts responsibility - S – especially if it involves Liver
Listens attentively - S – Most of the time Larry listens, unless the other dogs are
playing
Follows rules - N – Larry is still learning about rules and consequences-
May need stronger and more clear boundaries at home
Follows directions - N - Again, clearer directions from Mom and Dad would help Larry in this area.
Stays on task - S – although Larry’s attention span is about 10 minutes
Completes homework - S
Attendance - S

Additional Comments – Larry’s genetic characteristics are truly starting to show themselves. He has the Dachshund’s sense of humor, the Beagle’s love of a good game and the nose of both breeds! Amanda, you have your hands full! But with clear direction and lots of boundaries while Larry is learning, he will turn out to be a wonderful dog that will always entertain you!

Remember that rewards for a job well done can be things other than liver – a game of chase, a walk, a ride in the car to visit the park, snuggling in front of the TV – those are all wonderful rewards that will lessen Larry’s demand for liver as his paycheck!

We can see Larry is actually calming down and listening better. Keep focused on Larry earning your attention, and he will truly start to learn his lessons quicker and be more reliable in the performance of commands he knows.

Report card completed by Lake Norman Natural Dog Training’s Fran Iwanicki.

Sent to the principal's office

This week, I was very excited to discover we’d be learning the “leave it” command during class since the “it” is typically my socks, my dinner, my mail and, especially, my favorite Rainbow flip-flops. But, we started out by showing the trainers and the entire class our best “sit.” Larry did very well. Everyone even clapped for him and told me how much he’d seemed to have calmed down. Later, I realized Larry’s calm demeanor was due to something else he’d brought to class – his attitude.

When it was time for one of the trainers to demonstrate the “drop it” command, they chose Larry to give it the first try. I was excited that they chose him because I thought that must have meant he was doing well. Enter the attitude. Suddenly, in front of the entire class, Larry refused to do anything the trainer told him. She tried using his favorite liver treats and even those didn’t seem to interest him. So Pepper kindly stepped in and Larry and I sulked off to the back of the class. I tried to practice the trick with Larry and he got it four or five times before walking away to sniff the grass having completely lost interest.

During break, Larry continued to have his surly attitude. He went over to Merlin only to steal a few sips from his water bowl. When Pepper came to say “hello” he finally started to play. But, when Larry took a few chews of Pepper’s leg, I’d had it with him. Now he was just being rude. When break came to a close we worked more on loose-leash walking. Larry was a disaster. He pulled on the leash and ran around until our trainer, Fran, came over and took control. I put my head in my hands as even Fran has a hard time with him. When class was over I packed Larry and his attitude in the car and headed home.

Later, I tried the commands again. “Leave it” was far more interesting this time around and he sat like an all-star. Loose-leash walking … let’s just say I’ll have to consult Fran on this one.

My disruptive dog

It’s official. Larry has learned how to sit. But I’ve now realized that I could teach him practically anything if it included a yummy treat afterwards. Now anytime I have a treat in my hand, he just sits in anticipation of eating it. I don’t even have to give the command. The only problem here is that he won’t sit without a treat. Just this morning, I tried to make him sit so I could take off his leash. It wasn’t happening. He looked up at me with his big brown eyes as if to say “I don’t smell a treat, I’m no dummy.”

But, obviously, class is going well. Larry is a fast learner and very sociable … maybe too sociable. I think if he got a report card he’d have all A’s but in the comments box “Talks during class.” He just makes these happy play noises. One of our trainers, Fran Iwanicki, actually paused class because Larry was trying to play with Merlin and was being noisy and disruptive. While this just makes Larry look cute it makes me look like a bad mommy. So I stood there all embarrassed while Larry continued to play and Fran just gave up.

Larry and Merlin seem to have hit it off. As soon as Merlin comes to class Larry gets really excited and has to go play with him immediately. Then, when Merlin leaves, Larry whines. Merlin may be about half Larry’s size but he’s scrappy. When they first met, Larry went to introduce himself and Merlin just swatted him across the nose. They’ve been best friends ever since. Merlin has even learned to go potty on command, just like Larry. Whenever Merlin plays with another dog Larry sits there looking dejected and confused. This is probably why I got upset when Pepper’s mom announced that Merlin and Pepper had really hit it off. “But Larry is Merlin’s best friend!” I wanted to say. I held back in order to set a good example for Larry.