Well, he did it! Jake graduated from Doggie Kindergarten. I'm so proud. I keep saying Jake isn't the brightest dog out there and he's alot of trouble sometimes and his looks have saved him more than once and.....where was I going with this? Oh yeah. I'm proud of him.
When he first started the class, I thought we would end up dropping it out of shear embarrassment. Either that or the DT would throw us out out of shear frustration. But between the genius of DT and the perseverance of the handler (me) we made it. Jake now knows who the alpha is in this house. Ok, it's still him. But now he throws us a bone (pun intended) and follows a command every so often. My favorite one is "front". I can say that word, and Jake comes to me from where ever he is in the house. That command alone was worth the money for the class. The funny thing is that he's supposed to come right to me and sit. Sometimes I think he's doing his own "I'll show you who's boss" and he'll head toward me and then sit...about 10 feet from me. Then we have a stare off. The worst thing I can do is walk to him and give him his treat. So I just stand there and stare. He sits and stares. Eventually, he'll sigh, get up slowly and walk the rest of the way. The turkey jerky treat is just too tempting for him to pass up just to make his point.
He's pretty good at the other commands too. He's great at fetching, sitting, and down. He needs some more work on heeling but that's because I need some work on it. He can do a sit/stay as long as his attention span will let him. I don't think they make Ritalin for dogs but I think it would help him with his stays.
Another valuable thing we learned in class was getting him to drop whatever it is he's chewing on at the moment. He used to get something and run around the living room while one of us chased him. Then we would have to call for backup and two of us would trap him and pry the item out of his mouth. He still gets things he's not supposed to but now he'll take a couple of steps, we say "leave it" and he drops it. I know we've taken a huge chunk of pleasure from his puppyhood by doing this but I'm pretty sure it's lowered my blood pressure by at least 10 points.
So at the end of the last class, DT handed us our diplomas. It had both of our names on it. I was very excited and was considering having it framed. Maybe even place it over the mantle. I left the diploma in the van (I leave everything in the van) and Abigail and I went to Walmart the next day. As we opened our doors, a gust of wind came along and blew the diploma off the dashboard and out the door. It flew across the Walmart parking lot. I walked around in the Texas heat for 20 minutes trying to find it. I went back into the store to see if some kind dog lover who understood the blood, sweat and tears that goes into training a dog may have turned it in. No such luck. I just hope it's not an omen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jake's summer haircut
Jake got his summer haircut. He went from shaggy to smooth. The groomer left his tail alone though and now it looks like he has a feather duster for a tail. But he still looks cute. I think I like the shaggy look better but I know he's much cooler now.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dogs and GPAs
Ok, I'll admit, I'm not the smartest person in the world. I'm no rocket scientist, which is tough since I live in the Johnson Space Center vicinity and many neighbors and friends ARE rocket scientists. I mean, I did as well as I wanted to in high school. I hated high school and dreamed of nothing more than the day I would graduate. I did what was expected to maintain a solid B average, nothing more, nothing less, except in classes I really loved and then I put all my effort in it and would easily pull out an A. (Don't tell Abigail any of this, I expect more from her) In college, I graduated with a good GPA. I don't remember what it was but it must have been pretty decent because I was awarded a silver tray sponsored by some unpronounceable company for having the highest GPA (the coveted silver nacho tray....which is now wrapped in newspaper, tarnishing, in my closet) Granted, it was in Radiography, I wasn't getting a Masters in Business or anything but to get that tray I had to pass classes in physics and radiobiology and such. So I'm not a complete numbskull. (I know my physics professor is out there somewhere, so I won't say anymore)
But there are certain situations and certain people that make me feel like a complete moron. It's not their fault, they're just very intimidating to me. I won't name names, and I love them to death, but I'll say something and get a look (usually accompanied by a smirk) that makes me feel like a very stupid person. Which leads me to last week's doggie school class with Jake.
Jake's dog trainer (DT) is a great guy. Very smart and extremely patient. He has this really great voice, like a radio psychologist. Jake and I have learned alot from DT but whenever he asks me a question, or I ask a question, I feel like a dope. Example.....we were doing our automatic sits last week. We're walking around the yard, we slow down and stop and the dog is supposed to sit automatically when we stop. DT is watching us as we go around the yard. One time Jake actually sat when I stopped. I was so proud! DT asked, "Did he sit on his own or did you say 'Sit'?" I looked up and honestly couldn't remember if I told him to sit so I just said, "I don't know. Did I say 'sit'?" Ok, the man is halfway across the yard from me and I'm asking him if I told my dog to sit. He said something like, "well, he's doing great." I'm sure he was really thinking "Idiot can't remember if she just spoke to her dog." Then I had a question about practicing the automatic sits in the afternoon. Jake really hates walking in the afternoon since it's so hot and he will not sit on hot sidewalks. Can't say that I blame him. I asked DT if it's ok to have him sit whenever we come to a shaded area or will that train him to sit everytime he sees shade. Ok, I know, quit laughing. That really was a stupid question. But DT stared at me and said, "I don't think he'll do that. I don't think he's that...." and he paused. I said, "smart?" He said, "No, I don't think he would be that observant." Oh. After that I thought I would just not talk anymore in class.
This is our last week for doggie school and Jake will graduate so I'll keep my mouth shut. I don't want to embarrass my dog. But I'll be really proud if he gets a silver nacho tray.
But there are certain situations and certain people that make me feel like a complete moron. It's not their fault, they're just very intimidating to me. I won't name names, and I love them to death, but I'll say something and get a look (usually accompanied by a smirk) that makes me feel like a very stupid person. Which leads me to last week's doggie school class with Jake.
Jake's dog trainer (DT) is a great guy. Very smart and extremely patient. He has this really great voice, like a radio psychologist. Jake and I have learned alot from DT but whenever he asks me a question, or I ask a question, I feel like a dope. Example.....we were doing our automatic sits last week. We're walking around the yard, we slow down and stop and the dog is supposed to sit automatically when we stop. DT is watching us as we go around the yard. One time Jake actually sat when I stopped. I was so proud! DT asked, "Did he sit on his own or did you say 'Sit'?" I looked up and honestly couldn't remember if I told him to sit so I just said, "I don't know. Did I say 'sit'?" Ok, the man is halfway across the yard from me and I'm asking him if I told my dog to sit. He said something like, "well, he's doing great." I'm sure he was really thinking "Idiot can't remember if she just spoke to her dog." Then I had a question about practicing the automatic sits in the afternoon. Jake really hates walking in the afternoon since it's so hot and he will not sit on hot sidewalks. Can't say that I blame him. I asked DT if it's ok to have him sit whenever we come to a shaded area or will that train him to sit everytime he sees shade. Ok, I know, quit laughing. That really was a stupid question. But DT stared at me and said, "I don't think he'll do that. I don't think he's that...." and he paused. I said, "smart?" He said, "No, I don't think he would be that observant." Oh. After that I thought I would just not talk anymore in class.
This is our last week for doggie school and Jake will graduate so I'll keep my mouth shut. I don't want to embarrass my dog. But I'll be really proud if he gets a silver nacho tray.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Too smart?
Jake had his 5th week of doggie school and he did brilliantly. Well, mostly. DT used him as an example of an automatic sit and Jake learned it very quickly. Of course, I've been working with him at home and somehow, he's forgotten how to do it. I'm not sure why he does this, but then I saw this quote and thought maybe it summed it up.
"You may have a dog that won't sit up, roll over or even cook breakfast, not because she's too stupid to learn how but because she's too smart to bother." - Rick Horowitz, Chicago Tribune
"You may have a dog that won't sit up, roll over or even cook breakfast, not because she's too stupid to learn how but because she's too smart to bother." - Rick Horowitz, Chicago Tribune
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Week 4 of Doggie School
Well, we've now had 4 weeks of doggie school. I guess it's time for an update. I would love to say Jake is brilliant and the dog trainer (DT) has never seen such a talented dog. Yup, I would love to say that.
Actually, as I wrote before, the first week was fun. Jake did better than even I expected and I had high hopes. I still have high hopes. The second week, we worked on some more basic commands and I realized this was going to take some work. On the first day of class DT said we would get out of this what we put into it and it was during this week that I realized what he meant by that. But the third week, unfortunately was a wash. Totally my own fault. We had Jeff's parents in town for part of the time and didn't work with Jake much at all. It really showed when we took him to class that week. We had to do things that we supposedly learned the previous week and supposedly had been working on all week. When Jake didn't respond much to any of my commands, I was busted. DT even asked if I had practiced the lessons the week before. I fudged just a bit and said yes. I really had worked with him...a couple of times. Anyway, doing the sit/stays was nerve wracking. Jake does not like doing that. At all. I was telling him "sit" and he just looked at the cute little sheep dog and decided it would be much more fun to go over to her. I'm supposed to correct him immediately and make him sit but by the time I got back to him, his 2 second memory span had probably forgotten why I was pushing down on his butt to make him sit. Of course, by this time all the other dogs have done their sit and stay and their masters are already praising them and giving treats. Ok, we always do these things 3 times so I have 2 more tries. Here we go again, I say "sit" and silently pray that Jake is paying attention to me. I took one step away and he's up again. I sigh, go back to him and start pushing down on his butt again. Jake looks totally befuddled. I imagine him thinking "what's the deal?" This time, while I'm pushing down on his butt, he is pushing back against me. He is not wanting to sit at all but I finally get him sitting again. By this time, again, all the others are back to their dogs, giving treats. Show offs. DT comes over to me and tells me to take a deep breath. Is it that obvious? I was starting to wonder if there are remedial classes available. Ok, here's our last chance. C'mon Jake, we can do it. I say "SIT" and he sat down. Ok, so far so good. I say "STAY" and he stayed and looked at me. I walked away, just waiting for him to go to the sheepdog (or the german shepherd, or the great dane...) but he just sat there. Wow! I walked back to him, gave the release command and gave him a treat. DT came over and said, "You know why he stayed that time?" I said, "Because he was tired?" Why else would he not run after the other dog? "No, because the tone of your voice let him know you meant it." Great. I was so aggravated and tired of wearing the figurative dunce cap that I wasn't paying attention to how my voice sounded. Was I loud, stern, mean sounding? Did I use my Mom voice or my preschool teacher We-don't-hit-our-friends voice? Argh. Note to self: pay attention to your voice.
After sit/stays I was exhausted but it was on to "retrieving", or "fetching" if you were born before 1980. I was thinking "Ok, we have this one locked up." We didn't need to practice this one because we play this everyday in the backyard. I even brought Jake's favorite ball. Now my dog was going to shine. Jake and I waited patiently while the amateurs took their turns and then we were up. I showed Jake the ball and did a light toss about 8 feet away from him. I didn't want to show off too much. Why make the others feel bad? Jake took off after the ball. That's my boy! He ran to his ball and picked it up. Awww, good dog! I'm patting my legs "Bring it here Jake". He turned around, dropped the ball and ran to a rope that was on the ground. A rope. This rope had been on the ground the entire time we had been there. He decides now is the time to check it out?! I wanted another chance to show that my Jake could do this but DT was very diplomatic and said something about Jake being distracted. We could practice it more at home and do it again next week.
We've been working on other commands too, like "front". For "front" they're supposed to come to you and sit in front of you. Jake can do "front" if I happen to call him at a time when he feels like coming over to me for a treat. Yeah, we have to work on that one still. He just doesn't see any point in coming over to me if he doesn't have a reason. I guess I can see his point. We'll work on it some more tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.
Actually, as I wrote before, the first week was fun. Jake did better than even I expected and I had high hopes. I still have high hopes. The second week, we worked on some more basic commands and I realized this was going to take some work. On the first day of class DT said we would get out of this what we put into it and it was during this week that I realized what he meant by that. But the third week, unfortunately was a wash. Totally my own fault. We had Jeff's parents in town for part of the time and didn't work with Jake much at all. It really showed when we took him to class that week. We had to do things that we supposedly learned the previous week and supposedly had been working on all week. When Jake didn't respond much to any of my commands, I was busted. DT even asked if I had practiced the lessons the week before. I fudged just a bit and said yes. I really had worked with him...a couple of times. Anyway, doing the sit/stays was nerve wracking. Jake does not like doing that. At all. I was telling him "sit" and he just looked at the cute little sheep dog and decided it would be much more fun to go over to her. I'm supposed to correct him immediately and make him sit but by the time I got back to him, his 2 second memory span had probably forgotten why I was pushing down on his butt to make him sit. Of course, by this time all the other dogs have done their sit and stay and their masters are already praising them and giving treats. Ok, we always do these things 3 times so I have 2 more tries. Here we go again, I say "sit" and silently pray that Jake is paying attention to me. I took one step away and he's up again. I sigh, go back to him and start pushing down on his butt again. Jake looks totally befuddled. I imagine him thinking "what's the deal?" This time, while I'm pushing down on his butt, he is pushing back against me. He is not wanting to sit at all but I finally get him sitting again. By this time, again, all the others are back to their dogs, giving treats. Show offs. DT comes over to me and tells me to take a deep breath. Is it that obvious? I was starting to wonder if there are remedial classes available. Ok, here's our last chance. C'mon Jake, we can do it. I say "SIT" and he sat down. Ok, so far so good. I say "STAY" and he stayed and looked at me. I walked away, just waiting for him to go to the sheepdog (or the german shepherd, or the great dane...) but he just sat there. Wow! I walked back to him, gave the release command and gave him a treat. DT came over and said, "You know why he stayed that time?" I said, "Because he was tired?" Why else would he not run after the other dog? "No, because the tone of your voice let him know you meant it." Great. I was so aggravated and tired of wearing the figurative dunce cap that I wasn't paying attention to how my voice sounded. Was I loud, stern, mean sounding? Did I use my Mom voice or my preschool teacher We-don't-hit-our-friends voice? Argh. Note to self: pay attention to your voice.
After sit/stays I was exhausted but it was on to "retrieving", or "fetching" if you were born before 1980. I was thinking "Ok, we have this one locked up." We didn't need to practice this one because we play this everyday in the backyard. I even brought Jake's favorite ball. Now my dog was going to shine. Jake and I waited patiently while the amateurs took their turns and then we were up. I showed Jake the ball and did a light toss about 8 feet away from him. I didn't want to show off too much. Why make the others feel bad? Jake took off after the ball. That's my boy! He ran to his ball and picked it up. Awww, good dog! I'm patting my legs "Bring it here Jake". He turned around, dropped the ball and ran to a rope that was on the ground. A rope. This rope had been on the ground the entire time we had been there. He decides now is the time to check it out?! I wanted another chance to show that my Jake could do this but DT was very diplomatic and said something about Jake being distracted. We could practice it more at home and do it again next week.
We've been working on other commands too, like "front". For "front" they're supposed to come to you and sit in front of you. Jake can do "front" if I happen to call him at a time when he feels like coming over to me for a treat. Yeah, we have to work on that one still. He just doesn't see any point in coming over to me if he doesn't have a reason. I guess I can see his point. We'll work on it some more tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.
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