First Puppy Class
2006-08-09 7:52 p.m.

We went to dog obedience class last night, tense and apprehensive, expecting our huge dog-child to run amok and embarrass us to death.

We were not encouraged by the appalled looks on the faces of the other dog owners when they saw our behemoth. He's really intimidating when you first meet him, so we understand the reaction--but it doesn't feel good to have your sweet puppy automatically categorized as the class bully. The poor lady with the 2 lb. poodle/Maltese puppy looked like she wanted to snatch her darling up and go peeling out of the parking lot.

None of the dogs were at all worried about Thor. The little Malty-poo wanted to PLAY with the big doggie! She kept prancing over to him. She wasn't awed in the least. Thor was in happy-play mode, so he really was being very good.

He did okay at the slack-leash-walking exercise, but he was distracted by all the other dogs and people. Inside, he was a STAR. He was the ONLY doggie who would do "sit" and "down" every single time. (He does them constantly at home.) He also picked up "move" very quickly, and dances out of my way quite daintily now. He really learns fast.

The biggest problem we've had lately is that he'll bark at the Samurai CONSTANTLY, wanting him to PLAY. He's decided that ladies feed and pet him, and mans like to play with him! It's pretty annoying, because Thor's bark is a thunderous thing. Last night after class, we followed Michelle's advice, and Frank hit him with a shot of Bitter Apple right in the mouth, mid-bark. Thor was horrified! No more barking! As Frank said,"It rocked his world."

Today, he's been a good boy and watched me sew. He and Casey are getting along well, too.

I'm trying to use up my cool fabric scraps with some non-traditional patchwork projects, many of which will become Christmas gifts. I've been inspired by WhipUp!

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