& i'm also curios to know, do the professionals recommend rewarding good behavior & good deeds with treats or do they recommend a little game like perhaps a tug of war with one of her favourite toys?
My understanding, Les, is they advocate both. Why the curiosity? Now that you are retired and have time on your hands are you thinking of getting a dog? There are many benefits. It is hard to avoid getting more exercise if you take your responsibilities seriously. And unconditional love is good for the soul - and with a bit of luck, you'll get that returned from the dog, too. At least you won't get gratuitous sarcasm.
The people that run these training classes make the point strongly that you are not bringing the dog along to be trained. You are coming along to learn the proper way to train the dog. They even went so far as to say if the dog cannot come to a session for some reason, the owner should still come.
I will continue to go to the training sessions not because I am an old dog trying to learn new tricks but as an old dog trying to remember all the tricks that I have forgotten several times.
I think I would have liked Griffo.
You may be right in your view of human nature, but as it doesn't take any skin off my nose, it is not one that I will worry about.
I just notice the standard puzzle is open, so I must go and get a few words.
G'day Jack,
I actually would not mind getting another dog but the policy is " no pets allowed " in my apartment complex.
At the moment i am just trying to help out a friend who has recently & quite unexpectedly " inherited " a puppy due to her sisters sudden relocation to Sydney to take up a job promotion.
I also thought that it might be a way for me to wrangle in a request that i am sure all of your followers would enjoy & that is for you to compile a short video of you putting Bonnie through her paces.
You know what i mean, have June record Bonnie as you instruct her to sit, stand, rollover, beg, lay down etc...
I am certain that you would have liked Griffo.
He was a big but gentle bloke, ex navy submariner, a heavy drinker ( i was one of the few that could keep up with him ) with a wacky sense of humour, he had nick names for everybody in the building & liked to play practical jokes on people.
Despite a significant age difference we hit it off straight away & over time became very good mates.
He lived in a nearby suburb to me so when we were on the same shift we would often take it in turns to ride share to work.
So Griffo rings me one Sunday night to organise to pick me up for work at 7.30am Monday morning, if your not ready, i'll go without you & don't forget that Monday is a casual dress day.
In those days it was very strict policy that uniforms must be worn at all times except for the overnight shift or when management declared a charity day.
Charity day meant that by making a donation to the nominated charity you were excused from wearing your uniform for that day.
So as we approach the front door of our work place, dressed in our casual attire, Griffo takes a detour.
As he walks off toward the station, he exclaims " I'm going to grab a train into town for a training course, see you tomorrow "
Ok, " no worries " is my response as i make my way up to the control room & the sign on desk.
It is only then that i realise that everybody else is dressed in full uniform.
At the same moment the boss pokes his head around the corner & in a stern voice says " Les i'll see you in my office, straight away please ".
I enter the office & take a seat while the boss is on the phone.
Bloody Griffo, he's set me up, how in the hell am i going to get out this, my mind is racing with all of the various punishments that i might be in for & i am dreading the dressing down that i am about to receive, bloody Griffo!!!
As he hangs up the phone the boss looks to me & says " Les, we've covered your shift for today ( i'm thinking oh no, crikey, he's going to send me home ) as i really want you to attend a training course that is taking place in town this morning but judging by your attire you must have already been aware of this.
Well yes sir, Griffo had told me all about it.Yes of course he would have.
This training session is designed for senior officers so when the vacancy came up late last week it was Griffo who nominated you to fill the gap even though you are a still considered a junior.
When i arrived at the training room, the only vacant seat was next to a beaming Griffo.
As i sat down next to him i said rather loudly, it's your shout at lunch time you big bastard.
The whole room, including the instructor burst into laughter as Griffo had told them all about how he had set me up.