This week Mom and Dad’s trainer invited us to join him for a special class at the beach. The students were specially selected because we each had unique skills that we needed to work on with our humans. One dog, nicknamed “Cujo” by the trainer, is aggressive towards little dogs. Another dog, nicknamed “Dopey,” is skittish around all dogs. Then there was “Tough Guy,” a little fellow who although has made awesome progress training his Dad inside, he’s too cool to be seen with him when out in public. I got included because although I’m rocking training Mom and Dad, I still get a bit nervous when the four of us are separated and Asa is in charge. As for Asa, he was invited to continue to work on Mom and Dad’s training in a high distractions setting. And boy was the trainer right, that beach was full of distractions with other dogs both off-leash and on, tennis balls flying everywhere, toddlers running and screaming, and just throngs of people out enjoying this first taste of spring.

First up “Cujo” worked on remaining calm despite having a small excitable dog off-leash barking in his face. Please note that our trainer has been working with “Cujo” and his parents for over year, and he never would do this lesson unless he knew Cujo could remain calm and handle it. And boy did he handle it! Despite that annoying dog, and it’s rude owners who felt the need to lecture our trainer on being insensitive for making us all stay on leash, Cujo did a down/stay on the sand and ignored his little foe. It clearly wasn’t easy for him, but he managed to keep his cool. We all gave Cujo a round of happy tail wags for his big accomplishment.

“Dopey” had a bit more trouble adapting to all the pups running here, there, and everywhere. This was only her second time to the beach, so it was a lot to take in at once. However, with her Mom’s confident yet gentle guidance and words of support from the trainer, Dopey was soon happily walking up and down the beach at a perfect heel with her tail wagging. “Tough Guy” required special handling from our trainer. He didn’t like that little dog barking at his new friend Cujo. Nor did he appreciate the toddler who ran up and threw a rock at us. To be honest, I didn’t like that kid either, or his mother who asked if the dogs were friendly. Without skipping a beat, the trainer asked if the kid was friendly since he was throwing rocks at the dogs! Anyways, after awhile, Tough Guy calmed down, and stopped ignoring his Dad on the other end of his leash. They took a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, and ended with a calm down/stay to watch a group of dogs play fetch.

Through all this Asa and I practiced walking at a heel with Mom and Dad. We weaved our way around the flying tennis balls while resisting joining in the game. Asa and I sat politely while off-leash dogs charged at us, and tried to tempt us away from Mom and Dad. We even remained in a down/stay despite a child who came running out of nowhere from behind and pounced on Asa for a hug! We also politely declined a treat offered by a woman, and were rewarded with our own delicious snacks from Mom. Sure Asa got excited seeing a kite for the first time, and started to lose focus. But one “heel” from Dad and he snapped back into attention. In fact, Asa did so good that the teacher was surprised! It was at this point I was starting to hope that Mom and Dad’s trainer had forgotten why he invited me to this special class, but then it happened. He separated Mom and me from Dad and Asa!

After all the other students worked on their lessons, he gathered us together and sent us off one by one with our humans to walk in a single file line down the beach. Dopey, with her new found confidence lead the way. Next was myself and Mom, followed by Cujo, Tough Guy, with Asa and Dad bringing up the rear. I started to worry and kept looking back as Mom insisted on walking forward without them by our side. How can we leave Dad with Asa? What if they get lost? Mom insisted that we keep moving forward. I started to whimper. The pack must stay together! This is not my comfort zone! However, soon our adoring fans lined the beach watching our impromptu pooch parade, taking pictures and cheering for us. I forgot all about Asa and Dad, and proudly marched behind Dopey. Later Dad commented that he knew I was enjoying it once my tail started wagging. Ok, I admit I liked being in the spotlight without Asa at my side stealing my thunder. Besides, what did I have to worry about? Dad is smart enough not to let Asa lead him astray. I even played it cool afterwards by not completely losing my mind when the four of us were together again.

Before the class ended, the trainer gathered everyone around and congratulated each of us for our improvements. Cujo was surrounded by all sorts of barking little dogs, yet remained calm and collected. Dopey’s whole demeanor was different as she happily watched the other dogs play. Tough Guy knew that it didn’t matter what the others on the beach thought, he just needed to concentrate on keeping his Dad safe and happy. As for us, the trainer said Asa and I did an awesome job handling all those distractions. Surely in his excitement he meant Mom and Dad not us, because we all know Asa and I are already perfect. Oh and in case you’re wondering what our nicknames from the trainer are, I’m “Old Man,” and Asa is “Slappy McHappy!”