So in this age of technology and instant gratification we went with the DVD! Both dogs are too smart for their own good however:
Lesson 1 was 'sit' by silently holding a treat just above their nose so they look up and naturally sit back. Well, at the site of a human even approaching the treat jar both dogs had their bottoms firmly glued to the floor in anticipation - after all, that's what we have taught them. It was more a lesson in 'stand up first please' but after half a treat bag we were well on our way to perfection.
Lesson 2 - lie down from the sit position (by silently holding a treat at their nose and moving it quickly straight downwards to the floor inbetween their paws). At first I started to think that perhaps my dogs have the wrong body shape for this, since we ended up with an akward half hunched over dog which by any stretch of the amagination was not lying down. It turned out however to just need more practice with Penny picking it up first closely followed by Horace.
Lesson 3 - coming into the house without the dog jumping up. I have to say that Horace mastered this one like a pro (although we have yet to test this one out with strangers! Any takers??). It was personally however my least favourite lesson - and might be very pleasant in the Spring - but in August the Kentucky weather is just not pleasant for any kind of activity - especially not running around the house from the front to the back door and back again and again and again. It was like running through a hot, thick pea soup.
I imagine there is probably a future lesson about keeping the dogs off the furnature, but until we reach that chapter we will continue to claim ignorance on that one! After all, who could refuse a cuddle from this baby?
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