Friday, June 26, 2009

Dog(?) trainer

Today the 'dog trainer' came. I really don't know why we need a dog trainer. I'm a Good Dog. I don't need to be trained.

Fi's Mom: Yes, Fi you ARE a Good Dog. We just want you to be a Great Dog, so that when clueless people let their 100 lb untrained dogs out without collars on you can ignore the 100lb missile hurtling at you and continue to ignore them when they sniff at you while their clueless parents try to pull said 100lb collar-less dog off you while you are trying very hard to lie on the ground patiently. It wasn't your fault that the clueless lady couldn't control (or even get a handle on) her dog. *ahem. But really. How Stupid Can You Be? If you know that your dog doesn't respond to voice commands, how could you POSSIBLY let the dog out without even a COLLAR on?!? Fi's a little skittish around other dogs, and as such, jumps around when approached by strange dogs (one of the behaviors we are working on). Not that I blame her. And there's not much we can do about other dogs' behaviors. I just wanted to vent about the totally clueless woman who kept yelling how 'friendly' her dog was as he was trying to take my knees out. All that aside, I think Fiona can be a Super Dog.

See. I'm a Good Dog. That other dog? He might have been 'friendly', but all I know is that when we were finally able to get away without being chased (thanks to Mom giving the clueless lady some of MY treats to control HER dog....) I had slobber on the bridge of my nose. Nothankyou.


Anyway. The "dog trainer" is really a Human Trainer. I know all sorts of things (like how to wait by a door when it is opened, and how not to pull on the leash), Mom just needs to learn that if she wants me to DO these things , she needs to liberally apply treats. Luckily the trainer is teaching Mom this. I think with practice, Mom will eventually apply treats when appropriate (read: all the time) and she'll be happy.


And the trainer has a Big Bag FULL of treats. So she can show up whenever she wants.

But since Mom was busy learning how to apply treats, she didn't get any pictures. So I'll leave you with some pictures from my time at the park yesterday.

See, I 'sit' just fine, thankyouverymuch.

And I run around with rubber balls REALLY well!


*kissey face*
-Fiona

11 comments:

Lorenza said...

Hi, Fiona!
I know that with the right training you can be a Super Dog!
My mom thinks I need training too because I am a wild girl!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Kimberly said...

I want to come train wiff's you Fiona... We would look good together with our ears gone wild action we'll have going on...
Bark @ me if you agree
Bell girl

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Wow Fiona,

I went to a training class when I was a little puppy and learnt lots. Sometimes I pretend to be blonde and that I forgot everything (like when my Daddy calls me in when there is a SQUIRREL in the tree and I don't come). But Mommy, she says the words so I can't play blonde. But anyway...best of all is that they "really" train your humans...so don't worry about the trainer.

Mommy says I talk to much... :-)
Happy Training Smileys!
Beth

bichonpawz said...

We think you already are pretty much Super Dog!! You look like you sit just fine and catch the ball and everything....but if you can get some treats out of the deal....go for it, girlfriend!! And BEWARE of those loose freaks that CHARGE at you!!! You are lucky that you are BIG!! Hugs from Chloe and LadyBug, the NY BichonFrises

Clive said...

Nothing like a bit of training and a few treats - that's what someone keeps saying in this house. But I don't mind the emphasis on keeping the training up, if the treats keep coming, as you say!!

lots of woofs
Clive

Abby said...

Hi, Fiona...

As long as the Training Lady comes with the treat pouch, let her train your Mom as long as she wants to...

We know you are a Super Dog already...What they don't know will get you lots of treats...

Abby xxxooo

Dexter said...

Momma is threatening to bring one of those trainers to my estate to help her "work" with Pee-Wee.

We are not allowed to go to stupid dog parks anymore because too many peoples are just plain dumb with their dogs. They let them run right up to me!!! Can you imagine?

Slobbers,
Mango

Unknown said...

Hi Fiona,

Your human should get together with my human - together I think they would turn all the stupid humans, who can't control their dogs, deaf with their venting! Hee! hee!

My human HATES irresponsible dog owners like that - especially because I always get blamed if anything happens because I am always the bigger dog.

Two years ago, a terrier ran up and went for my throat and when I tried to defend myself, the owners reported ME to Animal Control and wanted me muzzled as an aggressive dog!! They said that their terrier just wanted to play (yeah, right! Since when did play include razor-shrp canines and crazy demon eyes??) and that big dogs should not be allowed to defend themselves against little dogs!!Humph!!! They got really mean and started saying nasty things on the telephone and leave nasty letters...so my humans had to call a lawyer person. And all because THEY couldn't control THEIR dog!!

And we've had lots of other experiences like yours - and my human always gets so mad because although I am always very good and try my best to obey my human and ignore the other dog, she knows that if the other dog provokes anything, it will always be my fault.

We think irresponsible owners are a danger to all dogs - and also give dogs a bad name!!

Ooh - but how cool that you got a trainer coming to see you! I had one of those too when I was going through my "canine adolesence" stage at 8 months and I was pulling really badly and lunging when I saw other dogs because I got so excited - my humans just couldn't control me! But with the help of my great trainer, they learnt better how to get me to listen to them, even when there are lots of distractions! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

1000 Goldens said...

HI Fi - I guess tolerating training will be okay as long as there's a bag of treats. Sorry about your run in with the unruly dogs. I'm shy around other dogs too, so understand your Mom getting upset. They just want to protect us fur kids. It's so cute. Farley

Taffy said...

Hey Fi! Can your trainer come over and train my humans? I'm pretty sure I need more treats. You sure are a pretty pup!
Love and hugs,
Twix

Heather and Pumpkin said...

Your teacher comes to visit your house?! That's pawesome! I love my teacher, I wish she would show up with her treat bag.

xoxo
Pumpkin