in which Phoebe makes friends and realizes that other people will give her treats just for being cute
Despite the fact that it’s spring break, Phoebe still had to go to school. She didn’t really mind, though, since she’s made friends with all of the owners. She seems to like the humans more than her classmates. I suppose that’s because humans give treats whereas dogs take treats. She likes getting.
We worked on sit, which has been modified for Phoebe. When others do sit, Phoebe does stay, which I’m proud to say she is very good at. We practiced stay and come and worked a little bit on down, which she sometimes will do. The trick to it seems to be to catch her when she’s lying down anyway and then give the command followed by a treat. That’s our homework.
On the social front, Phoebe has made such good friends with the other owners that when she decides not to do whatever task is being practiced (and therefore not earning a treat from me) she just saunters over to someone else and asks for a treat. She stares at them with her big greyhound eyes, and they always melt and give her a treats as if it’s their privilege to do so. Of course she always comes back to me when I call her, which makes me happy.
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Visit Phoebe’s friends at the Carnival of the Dogs and don’t miss Doug Petch’s comment-a-thon benefiting greyhound rescue.
[saveagrey]
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
[…] The Education of Greyhound Phoebe, Chapter the Fifth […]
See, this is where you made your mistake James. You think you are taking Phoebe to obedience school to learn commands and be responsive to you. Phoebe looks forward to going to the big room with lots of people who will pet her and give her treats. She appreciates your desire to make her happy, but if you happen to flub your treat giving responsibilities at a particular time, there’s always the person down the row.
[…] The Education of Greyhound Phoebe, Chapter the Fifth […]