We have reached the crucial part of Mom and Dad’s training of translating the skills we’ve taught them in the classroom into real world experiences. After working so hard with Mom and Dad’s trainer to get them ready for summer, it is time to put their lessons into practice. Sure Asa and I have been very diligent all winter taking Mom and Dad out to our favorite pet friendly stores to practice. However, there’s a whole different vibe and set of distractions when outside, especially at dog friendly events. For some skills this is our first time to see how Mom and Dad will react, and for others a chance to see if they remember the previous stuff we taught them last summer.
Take for example Asa’s recent outing to Tails to Trails. I had my suspicions that Asa would not be focused on the task, so decided to sit this one out and let them go without me. Turns out I was correct. Asa started off alright, walking Dad at a decent heel down the busy sidewalk to their destination. However, as soon as he got his first glimpse of the festivities, he forgot all about Dad leashed to him and lost his mind. Of course there were witnesses…who recognized him. While Asa twirled about at the end of his leash, a woman with her dog waiting to cross the street said, “Oh we met you at Woof Meow!” Yet quickly followed it with, “he was so much better behaved there.” Mom and Dad embarrassedly nodded in agreement. Yet I’m happy to say Asa rallied, remembered his commands, and overall did a decent job reminding Mom and Dad of their training that day.
To be fair, the following week, I attended Paws Walk alone with Mom and Dad. I knew Asa probably allowed a few bad habits to slip back the previous weekend. Therefore, I wanted to remind them how they should behave without being distracted by him. Well would you believe while I was demonstrating my down/stays, Mom kept wandering off to visit the booths! Focus Mom! We are here to learn, not shop! Thankfully, Dad is well trained and stayed by my side. Although he was a little too well trained. A few times I jumped up to make it easier for my adoring fans to pet me, and he instantly reminded me I needed to stay down. Thanks Dad, but I’m the celebrity here and I know how I should greet my fans. At least on the bright side, Mom and Dad walked at a good heel that day.
Unfortunately, our plan to have both Asa and I oversee Mom and Dad’s training at Hops and Hounds didn’t work out as planned. Asa’s hot spot is right where his collar rubs. Since it is well on the way to healing we decided it would be best not to aggravate it by having him sit this one out. Well I must say, Mom and Dad did excellent that day! They walked at a good heel, and kept their focus when I was doing my down/stays. I even felt bold enough to take them to a quieter area of the field to practice their off-leash heel. I know, I know, I was breaking the rules letting them walk off-leash. But it was awesome seeing Mom and Dad go through their commands flawlessly!
Ok, I admit at one point I did get a bit arrogant with their training. I couldn’t help but notice there was a woman promoting her dog training business. Clearly she did not get the memo that it is the humans that need training, and NOT the dogs! However, I do like the constant flow of treats she was giving her dog to demonstrate his mastery of the sit command. I may need to discuss adding treats with Mom and Dad’s trainer. Anyways, embolden by Mom and Dad’s good behavior, I decided to demonstrate my excellent control over my humans by doing a down/stay near this woman’s training class. No treats. Lots of excitement because the dock dogs diving competition was in high swing in one direction and a band was playing in the other. Yet there I laid down calmly watching it all go on around me, as Mom and Dad walked in ever widening circles away from me.
One woman pointed at us and said, “I want my dogs to do that!” Another approached Mom and Dad and asked who MY trainer was. Silly humans, it is Mom and Dad who needed training not the other way around! And with that we triumphantly left the event with my tail wagging. I’m so glad Asa wasn’t there to embarrass me! But we’ll get him back to training Mom and Dad in no time. There are plenty more places and dog events this summer to take them to practice.
