Miss. Jill is SO smart!

My mom the dog coach has some really smart friends! You've heard me mention this before, but this time I'm talking about Miss. Jill... She and her mom came out from Austin to visit - And all I can say is, I can't wait for them to come back! Especially Miss. Jill. 

Miss. Jill is only 9 years old...but, she is one of the best dog trainers I know. And she doesn't even know she is one! She wanted to play ball with me...but at first I wasn't getting it, mostly because I'm so used to playing with mom at her studio here in Ventura, so we needed a bit of coaching to get started... Mom had Miss. Jill throw the ball, but then whenever I brought it back, she would first give me a treat, then she would throw the ball again! How cool is that?! 

Well, Miss. Jill quickly figured out that wherever she gave me my piece of kibble, (yes, this is how mom gives me some of my breakfast) that's where I would bring the ball! Wherever she wanted me to go, that is where she rewarded me! I bet her teachers back at home are as proud of her as me and my mom are... maybe someday she'll come out again and train me... In the meantime, all those dogs back is Austin sure are fortunate to have her! 

Hmm, I wonder what we'll work on the next time?...something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

One smart cookie!

My mom the dog trainer says that some of her non-dog-owning friends are some of the smartest "dog trainers" she knows! Take Miss. Dorel for instance. She was kind enough to take care of her friends dog while they were out of town. This friend of hers dropped of their dog, along with a whole bunch of stuff that's supposed to stop the dog from barking! Things like a water bottle, and some noise maker, and something that actually causes pain! Are you kidding me? Do those silly humans actually think that those thing will stop us from barking??? HA!

Fortunately Miss. Dorel is one smart human - She already knew that those methods wouldn't make any sense... Not only would they not stop the dog from barking (hello? have they worked yet?), but they'd also inflict pain, discomfort, and fear! Miss. Dorel said she would never use something like that to teach her own kids...why would a dog learn any differently? 

She and my mom talk about these things when they go out running together. In my moms dog training classes here in Ventura, she teaches others to reward behaviors you want, instead of concentrating on the behaviors you don't want. Barking is a normal behavior for us dogs, just like talking is for you humans. So, instead of yelling at your dog when she's barking, reward them when she's quiet. This is exactly what Miss. Dorel did when her friends dog was staying with her... totally makes sense, right? Yep - and that's why her doggy guest rarely barked at all...

Well to you Miss. Dorel, on behalf of all of us dogs out here - thank you! For being so smart, and for understanding us a little bit better... I know it's not the right time for you to adopt a dog of your own...so in the meantime, you can get all the pet therapy you need from me when you visit. 

Hmm, pretzels can only mean one thing...

Okay, maybe two things... or more... But in this case it means "bath time"! Yep - this inquisitive canine has figured out moms tip-offs for when she's about to give me a bath. First she'll mention that I don't smell very nice...calls me "Mr. Stinky Pants" - Geez, she's one to talk - she doesn't smell that great herself after a run...although I do like it - dad doesn't mind either - but I'm sure the public would protest. 

Anyway, mom first talked about how I wasn't smelling very fresh, and that  my fur felt "icky" (dad let me roll in something really fun at the park today - thanks dad!) Then she grabbed a few of her favorite pretzels, and said "come on, it's bath time"...we then went into the bathroom and proceeded to take care of business. 

Mom is really pretty smart though. She's a rockin' dog trainer - and she knows her stuff. She has figured out that I don't fuss if she feeds me little tidbits of goodies while she bathes me. She really lays it on when she gets that blower thingy out. She laughs and I get snacks - it's a pretty cool bonding time we share. This is something she teaches her students in her fun and informative dog training classes here in Ventura at our cool indoor training studio. Sometimes I help out - you might see me there. 

As for the whole bathing and grooming of dogs...Something you humans feel the need to do...and something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...