Out in the Country

Banjo is quite the feisty little boy and he loves to play. I have a scratch on my cheek to prove it; his paws are much faster than I am. His worst habit is biting/chewing. Every time he bites, we shriek in pain, which stops the biting for at least fifteen seconds.

For our training session this evening, we went to a farm. Plenty of olfactory stimulation and animal distractions. Banjo had to be lured to the top of the hay bales for his photo op. It's amazing what he can do if you have a treat in your hand.

Before working, Cinder and the rest of the pack explored the barn and made friends with two miniature horses.

Our session addressed our need to improve the basics: SIT, DOWN, STAND, COME, STAY, and HEEL. For a time the puppy raisers were blindfolded using only vocal commands to test the dogs. Banjo and I received preferential treatment, since he is so cute. However, he exhibited an excellent recall and performed good STAYs for our first attempts with him.

As usual the session was less about training the dogs, however it does provide a good gauge on their progress. It was more about educating the puppy raisers - we all need to work on basics and practice them everyday for fifteen minutes. If we can't get a dog to SIT and DOWN, how can we expect to teach him to find outside or stop at the curb.

After our workout, Banjo and I ventured out to the pasture. He was the first to make friends with the bull. Our little boy isn't afraid of anything; he kissed this huge bull and the bull backed off.

All that fresh country air, Banjo was exhausted and is snoring at my feet.