Hi. My name is Sara and I just had my 2nd puppy class. It's right in the middle of this big store. There is one other puppy my size and we really like to play and bark at each other. And it's really fun when tangle our leashes and end up in a pile on the floor. We get lots of attention from our trainer. This week we learned how to walk our owners on a leash. We got let out into what Dad called general population. What a blast that was. There were lots of people and other dogs, lots of really neat toys and big bags of food on really low shelves and lots of glass things with fish inside. Dad wouldn't let me have anything so I got mad and peed on the floor, everything I had, while he was busy picking up toys. I'm a little worried because Dad said I was going to wear out my nose. Can that happen? I heard Dad telling Mom that he would have to put a squirrel in his pocket to get my attention. Oh boy, I can't wait til next week.
Re: Sara's puppy classes Oh boy, you are so lucky to be getting a squirrel. If my humans take me to the pet shop I like to pee on the display of expensive dry dog food. As I am male, and fully grown, I can achieve quite good coverage. Don't worry about what they said about your nose wearing out - it is just a myth. Something humans made up because they are self-conscious about their own completely inadequate sense of smell. You can never wear your nose out - in fact, the more you sniff, the better your nose gets!!! - Obi
Re: Sara's puppy classes What is a ..... 'pet shop'??? It sounds wonderful and my people have never taken me to one.... Pongo xxx
Re: Sara's puppy classes A pet shop is a place where they sell lots of good things for dogs, like food and toys. It's all laid out so you can easily grab what you want. Basically, if you grab it, the humans have to buy it, which means you get to keep it. It's best if you can try to eat something while in the actual shop and then grab something else to take away, perhaps to eat in the car. Try to work up a lot of slobber before going into the pet shop so that whatever you touch with your mouth will be yours - the pet shop will insist that your people buy whatever you have slobbered on. Slobber on as many things as possible.
Re: Sara's puppy classes We went to a pet shop the other day. They have so many lovely smelling dead things and bags of food. Often if you look cute and use our puppy dog eyes, one of the staff will give you a treat!! but yes, we recommend slobbering/biting/grabbing whatever you can. Human will then get it for you!Success! (although strangely enough, mum has stopped taking us in there...she leaves us in the car instead!! HOW MEAN - Willow and Lottie
Re: Sara's puppy classes Well that is the trick. You can't slobber and grab stuff every time you go to the pet shop. Maybe every third or fourth time you should avoid touching anything, and instead behave in a way that makes your humans look good and feel competent. That will keep alive their hope that future trips to the pet shop will go well for them. They will keep taking you in the hope that the next trip might be less embarrassing. This is called a variable reinforcement schedule. Obi.
Re: Sara's puppy classes I've been back, but Dad was just joking about the squirrel, so I ate his computer mouse instead. He took away my computer privileges for a week. He is making me walk past crates and dog gates in the store Borrrring. But I'm doing what I can to be disruptive. I like walking right beside him and then running in front of people and tripping them with my leash. hahaha. The instructor likes me. She says I'm really clever and just need some redirection. It sounds yummy. I hope Dad gets the big bag.
