The Reufus Training Week One

When the very good, well behaved boy who is repleat with the cuteness and also incredibly easy to love is left behind, at home...  

And the wild child, the source of anxiety and unrest and boundless, yea unrestrained, energy... gets to board the trolley and depart for a Fun Evening of Adventure [aka Training Class], there is something SO not fair with the world!!!

 



I was upset at first, but I settled quickly and smoothly into my dream evening... Close your eyes, and join me.

Picture...

Natural light at dusk.
Candles lit and gently flickering... lining the tub edge.

Warm water and Bubbles.

A glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Me.

In a pink ruffled shower cap...
so my ears aren't wet when the Mom gets home!

Ahhhhhhhhhh.......

Last week was a crazy week. And on Thursday, the Mom... after many weeks of optimism and excitement... was feeling overwhelmingly tired and physically ill (from the trolley accident). The Reuf... was just feeling CRAZY!

Upon arrival and check-in... at which time the Reuf jumped up on each of the trainers... he and the Mom were directed to a position in the far corner of the arena. It may be coincidence, but the Mom noticed that the most unruly dogs were sent there so that they could receive additional training...

And that would have been wonderful had the Reufus not decided that the GPS coordinates of the corner of the arena were the perfect place to take his 17th POOP of the day.

Sigh.

The very tired and quickly very embarassed Mom whisked the bad boy to the outside...
where the poop was sloopy and hard to scoop.

Is Bad Boy nervous???

The Mom tells me that he did amazingly well on most tasks...

Self Control. Wait patiently and take a treat gently. At the same time, teach words for "Release"!  The Reuf is a gentleman!

Name Recognition. Oh yeah... he knows his name and responds well and quickly!
Get it. A treat is thrown, command given...



Reuf retrieves... and the command "Reuf, come" is given quickly...
He's rewarded for coming right back.
The Reuf rocked all parts of this exercise. : = O

Sit. Come. Collar Conditioning.These training moments are all easily received, because Feisty Boy already has the hang of these actions.

Walk On a Loose Leash.Four sides of the arena included: (1) people sitting in chairs, (2) puppy class behind see-thru fence, (3) continuous mirrors, (4) dog kennels and an independent dog exercising...

Not that the Reuf would perform well under normal conditions... but he REALLY didn't do well under these. Sigh.

The "OFF" and "SETTLE" commands were also taught. And the Mom took extra note... because she knew the trainers were speaking directly to her... and the Reuf.

We all continue to work on the exercises. Consistency is the key, and we know it... but I'm growing a little tired of some of the nomenclature. Just saying. That said, the treats make it SO very much worth MY while!

Oh... and in case you are worried that the Reufus' spirit might be broken and/or damaged by such rigorous training, I offer you this visual...
 

FYI... The Reuf revels in an infinite capacity to be comfy,
 and to bask in his independence!