Boggie 4/5/11

Today was a rainy-ish day. I brought my food because I didn't have enough time to eat. I slept in today. Boggie was very good at not begging after I corrected him. He had laid down at my feet and was looking up at me so I looked into his eyes. Since he didn't look away, I stared harder, thinking in my mind, "you are NOT getting this food" and leaned forward a little. Boggie looked away and rolled over on his side submissively like a good boy. I saved a little for Boggie training. We went on a walk. I find it is easier to walk a dog if you are not focusing on the dog. Just think about things you are going to do and stuff and it is easier. He was a good walker as usual. When we came back I tried teaching him to bow, but he didn't get it, so I tried teaching him to beg, and it was rough, so I tried teaching him to high five, and it was surprisingly easy! I just squatted next to him and put my hand up like I was going to high-five someone. I said, "high five" and didn't give him a treat until he touched my palm with his paw. I am a fan of letting them figure out the trick for themself, not lifting their paw and whatnot. They learn better this way. I tried teaching him to beg again and it worked better! Beg is still really hard for him because he is so heavy but what I did was I squatted in front of him and put a treat he likes and is smelly above his head and back a little. I said, "beg" and didn't give him the treat until he sat up and put his paws in "beg" mode and held it for a nanosecond or so. He is not able to hold it long but I think if I time it right, he will learn beg easily! =] Boggie's owner put away his makeshift hurdle, but that's okay. I will have to find a better, more light-weight, less dangerous one for him instead. That way it won't have to stay in Boggie's yard and I could use it for other dogs, too. It will take a while to find one, but I will keep a lookout. I found a dog backpack online, but it is like forty dollars, so I will have to see if I can get a sale or something. I will have to go back today because I left my plate there. Also, I checked off the checklist and then let Boggie out and he went poo but I forgot to say he did on the checklist. Sally's owner: Boggie went poo. =]