Today is not a good day.  I don’t know if it is hormones, puppy-ness, frustration or a combination of all three.  We are steadily plugging away in puppy class knowing full well the benefit comes from (me) learning the behaviors and expectations and then working with Ray on these with mind-numbing repetition.

Arm-pit-fart-kid from last week was back last night and because he wouldn’t settle and focus, he was pulled aside to work with one of the instructors individually.  I viewed it as the kid who acts up so much he has to put his desk next to the teacher’s at the front of the class.  I viewed it as a failure on my part.

My frustration lies in the fact that he behaves so well at home and he did so well on our nature walk that I know he can do this.  I know he can.  He does it.  Any shortcomings have to be placed squarely on my shoulders, whether  it is not enough time, practice or patience.  Well, I know this is a life long commitment.  Training is not just the six hours in class.  That is the tip of the iceberg.  Training is the constant repetition.  It is work.  You don’t get a dog and hope for the best.  You work for the best, just as a professional athlete might be born with a special talent or ability, he or she fine tunes it with hard work and drilling.  The time I invest upfront will pay off  in the long run.

Today is not a good day, but let’s try and  salvage it. 

Last night was session two of puppy class and we had a special guest in attendance.  Ray’s littermate, Dahey was in school with us and I was excited to see if the boys would remember each other and how they would react.  Dahey has the sweetest face and is such a doll.  I really can’t say whether or not they “remembered” each other per se, but they got along moderately well considering the puppy I brought to class last night was not at all the one who hid behind his mommy all of class last week.

This week, Ray was that kid in class who makes fart sounds with his armpits, throws spit wads at the backs of girl’s heads and makes goofy faces to distract all the other students.  Needless to say he really lived up to the Pit Bull Terror Terrier name. It took nearly two minutes for him to warm up in class whereupon he began straining at the leash, play bowing to all the dogs, and trying to engage in doggie conversations.  Luckily, he listened to the trainers as did I so we had a nice practice session this morning before work. 

During playtime after class was slightly different.  He got in a little over his head with the weimaraner and tucked it back in briefly.  With brother Dahey, Ray was kind of a jerk, attempting a little humpage and not backing off even though Dahey clearly asked him to.  Looks like the little monster prince needs some play dates to learn proper behavior. 

If you have completely fallen in love with Dahey’s picture, though, please visit SmilingK9’s to fill out an application to make him yours.