Bribery

Even cat-lovers know a dog will do just about anything for a treat. I can hardly believe I’m walking a dog yet alone now buying him treats! The local pet store very helpfully recommended a “natural” treat -- turkey, beef, blueberries, carrots, etc., - this dog eats better than I do! --to help me get his attention and if all goes as planned, to have him obey me. So much for people thinking Spencer was untrained…at the first whiff of a treat, he came to “Come!”, sat up, back ramrod straight, well-balanced and making very good eye contact with, no, not me...the treat! Obviously the Mister and Missus had done some good work with him! Untrained, my eye!

Getting his harness on is always a bit of a trial as the excitement of the pending walk still overwhelms him. I resolved to train him to lie down and be quiet. This training paid off handsomely…on the street, even in pouring rain but he still ignores it when we try to harness him. Spencer is getting more responsive every day so there is hope.