Dearest Sadie,
I felt so proud of you this afternoon!
Remember how we used to practice ‘spins’ and ‘twirls’ every night before bedtime? I lured you with a bit of liver in a circle in one direction and then the other. Then we dropped the liver lure and I just made circles with my finger. You didn’t just twirl and spin around with all four on the floor. Not you, my bouncing bunny! You added your own special flourish. When you got goin’ you spun and twirled in mid-air!
And, then remember that spring afternoon on the Sanitas Valley Trail? It must have been a month later. I wondered does my Sadie girl know the cues ‘spin’ and ‘twirl’ outside of the context of our bedtime game? I tentatively said, “Spin.” No lure. No hand motion. Just “spin.” And, you did it! You threw your body into a counterclockwise circle. I said, “Twirl,” and you pirouetted clockwise! I lit up with delight and showered you with a jackpot of cheddar cheese confetti bits. You were awesome!
Well, this afternoon I learned from Kyra Sundance that all that spinning and twirling we do are ‘tricks.’ WE are doing TRICKS! I just never thought about it that way. Have you? That is so cool.
Honestly, though, what wasn’t so cool for me, anyway, was the circus-like performance Kyra did with her gorgeous Weimaraner, Chaicy. Not that Chaicy wasn’t having fun. I think she was for the most part, except toward the end of her performance she started yawning. I think she was done. Still, there is no doubt that Kyra is crazy about Chaicy, and I really liked what she said about the value of our learning tricks together. Like it’s a wonderful way for us to bond, it challenges both of us mentally and physically (Well, okay, mostly you physically.), and it’s very rewarding. You get lots of goodies and I get you “getting it!” That’s just the best.
So, cookie, are you ready? I bought Kyra’s book, 101 Dog Tricks! 🙂
I don’t know if it was planned or not, but a certain theme emerged today. Both Alexandra this morning and Victoria Stilwell, she headlined this afternoon, emphasized that we humans need to see the world from our dog’s, that would be your, point of view.
I’ll never forget Victoria demonstrating what a confining thing I’m asking you to do when I cue you to ‘heel.’ The picture of her making tiny, mincing baby steps across the stage–that’s what heeling would feel like for us humans–is imprinted permanently in my mind. You heel beautifully when I ask you to and I’m going to be appreciating you a lot more for it!
Just one more thing. You know that I’ve been blogging for the Never Shock a Puppy Campaign for the last 8 weeks, right? Well, Victoria is all over NOT using shock, choke, or pinch collars to educate dogs. That isn’t anything, honey, you ever have to worry about, but as you know, some of your doggie friends do. Victoria said, “Imagine you’re a dog. Would you rather learn to ‘come’ because you’re afraid of what will happen to you if don’t, or because you really love what happens when you do?” That’s a no-brainer. Dogs are not masochistic. But, then, I don’t have to tell you that.
I miss you sweet girl. May squirrels scamper through your dreams.
Luvu,
Mom
Tags: APDT Atlanta, E collar, Electric shock collar, Kyra Sundance, Never shock a puppy, Shock collar, Victoria Stilwell
