Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
During her training, Princess learned sit and down. Here's a picture of her obeying another one of her commands––place:
Place means that Princess is to go into a down-stay in her spot on the couch. Curtis, the trainer, says dogs love to have a job. When Princess is in place, her job is to watch what's going on around her. This spot is an especially good place because it's elevated and because of its proximity to my desk.
I love it that she heels when we go for a walk. When she sees a cat or a squirrel, she looks at it, but she doesn't pull on the leash to go after it.
Princess knows, although sometimes I have to remind her, she is to sit before we go through a door. Whether she's in her place or in a stay in another spot, free means she's allowed to get up and do as she pleases (within reason).
I say all commands with her name first, such as Princess, place; Princess, sit.
When she disobeys or does something she shouldn't do, I'm supposed to say, Princess, no. I admit sometimes I raise my voice a wee bit and it can take more than one Princess, no to attain the desired result. If I stop petting her and she wants it to continue, she'll paw at me (or a visitor), which is not a good thing. It's annoying, and her paws are big and rough. A much bigger problem is her desperation to go out the front door with me because she wants to go for a ride in the car. Princess does not do well with place or stay if she thinks any chance of a car ride is in her future.
I do take her in the car with me whenever possible. She's a wonderful companion. Princess can go in Lowe's with me, and sometimes we need to pick up prescriptions at the vet's office. She likes the drive-through at my pharmacy, where she often receives a compliment on her beauty and behavior.
The training has been a tremendous help, but it's a work in progress. We have to continue to practice. We'll train again soon with Curtis.
And I'll keep telling her, Good girl, Princess. Good doggy.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
But look at that face!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePrincess has such a kissable face.
DeleteSounds like great progress has been made! But yes, practice makes perfect, and absolute consistency in commands is needed. Good for you for ensuring that Princess is trained. "A trained dog is a happy dog," my father always used to say.
ReplyDeleteI think trained dogs are happy, too, because they know what's expected of them.
DeleteGerman shepards need training, as they are working dogs, like huskies. It gives them a sense of purpose, and in the end, makes it much easier to live with their humans. Working doggos, in my opinion, are the best,because they have a "role" in the family. Alaska often herds her people into one room when we are all home, and will alert me when one of the boys goes out or is not home at the usual time. It's really facinating actually.
ReplyDeletePrincess keeps a close eye on me. I can't get away with anything.
DeleteGood job, Princess and you. It's a constant thing, then. I liked your memes and especially your Round up.
ReplyDeleteI'd love it if Princess rounded up the neighbors.
DeleteSounds like, for the most part, her training is paying off, and I bet that makes you and the Princess quite happy!
ReplyDeletexoxo
It's certainly a big help to me. She still shoves her way out the front door occasionally, but at least I know she'll only go to the car in the driveway.
DeleteWell done Princess.
ReplyDeleteI love The Far Side!
I've been a big Far Side fan for many years.
DeleteSounds like Princess' training is progressing well, Janie. All dogs have their little quirks and don't always listen, but you are obviously doing everything possible.
ReplyDeleteShe has a cooperative nature, which helps a lot.
DeleteSo wonderful to read how well Princess is doing. May the progress continue. The dog cartoons are priceless.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Princess will continue to learn. I'm teaching her to shake hands.
DeleteI'm glad Princess is doing as well as she is! Sounds like time and a bit of tweaking help from Curtis will do the trick. Whoohoo!
ReplyDeleteLoved the cartoons, but the video was absolutely hysterical!! LOL!
Hope you have a really good week, Janie. :)
The week at work is not going too well, but work is always up and down.
DeleteSeeing your Princess, angular ears and face, I'm already smitten. I have faith she will learn it all.
ReplyDeleteShe is such a pretty puppy.
DeleteMany of the commands that Princess has learned are exactly the commands that Shirley learned when I took her to obedience class. Usually she remembers what to do, and that is good. I loved the video with the border collie herding the humans. I had a border collie once, and a sheltie too....and they loved to heard us when we were outside.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a collie who herded us. He even herded the car into the garage.
DeleteAwww, she seems very well-behaved! Olga paws at us too, when we stop petting her. I've never tried to correct it but it IS annoying. I figure she's allowed to ask for more, and I'm allowed to say no. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to stop the pawing altogether because Princess's paws hurt. She isn't doing it as much as she used to.
DeleteYou and Princess have done so well with the training. I was mortified htis week when i took my son's dog out and we met a bitch on heat. I could not get toby to come nack to me!
ReplyDeleteNO! It published before I'd corrected my mistakes!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear the training has went well. Yay, Princess. Funny memes.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com