Hi All,
Baron had a very bad day yesterday, which translates into my having a really bad day. I took Baron to a field and let him off leash. He was terrific; he ran around, got exercise and best of all, came when called. Later, we went to another field, but Baron quickly made a beeline for the front yard of a nearby house. He was enthusiastically sniffing around when a huge grey furry something jumped out (of a hole or pipe?) and climbed a tree the size of its new inhabitant. Startled by the visitor, I handled this with my usual aplomb - I screamed. I bravely investigated the grey animal from a safe distance and determined it to be a large cat, which obviously had claws. I called Baron, and you can guess the rest. Of course he didn't come. I ran toward the car and he waved good-bye - to me, not the cat. He was busy. I got in the car and started to drive away, when, in my rear view mirror, I saw Baron (the ingrate) running toward me. He entered the car, and the misadventure was over.
I called his trainer (#6 in case you forgot), who said she hoped I rewarded him for coming. Reward him? I did reward him with a treat after informing him he was a bad dog. Fortunately, Baron never hears that phrase and assumes it is another compliment. The trainer seemed to think of all this was the fault of "yours truly", not Baron. She explained that Baron is not ready to be off leash, regardless of what his previous trainer told me. Of course this makes sense, even to me, but I thought previous successes would translate, and I guess that is not the case.
Baron feels vindicated and has requested that I get my own trainer.
All for now.
Botswain
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Horror Story 2
Hi All,
If the poodle jogging next to his owner off leash (the dog, not the owner) wasn't enough of a horror, we also encountered a beautiful, black standard poodle at a restaurant. This will be hard to believe for those who consider Baron a typical standard poodle. We had dinner in a very classy ($$$) restaurant, and sitting behind us was a large black standard poodle! To be fair to Baron, the poodle was accompanied by his owners, a couple from the south; he was not dining alone. The couple was lovely - genteel - almost as well mannered as Sam, their poodle. Sam sat at their side (on the floor - not a chair), and was perfectly behaved. When I came to the table Sam greeted me warmly, wagging his tail. He did not try to hug me, but perhaps he didn't know me well enough for that. He shared dinner with his owners (theirs, not his), but upon their initiation, not his own. He was quiet and dignified - a perfect gentleman.
As you can imagine, if Baron was in that situation, it would have been a different scenario. He would have helped himself to our food and if it was not to his liking, would have sampled meals on the plates of other diners, some of whom might not have welcomed Baron's culinary interest. He would have enthusiastically greeted guests arriving at the restaurant, hurtling all 72 pounds on those he was most happy to see. He'd probably have unintentionally overturned a table or two. Sadly, he might have been invited to leave the restaurant, accompanied by yours truly. Sigh
The well behaved poodle at the restaurant was a reminder as to why we are now working with Trainer Number ...... I think it's number 6.
Yours in Ettiquette,
Botswain
If the poodle jogging next to his owner off leash (the dog, not the owner) wasn't enough of a horror, we also encountered a beautiful, black standard poodle at a restaurant. This will be hard to believe for those who consider Baron a typical standard poodle. We had dinner in a very classy ($$$) restaurant, and sitting behind us was a large black standard poodle! To be fair to Baron, the poodle was accompanied by his owners, a couple from the south; he was not dining alone. The couple was lovely - genteel - almost as well mannered as Sam, their poodle. Sam sat at their side (on the floor - not a chair), and was perfectly behaved. When I came to the table Sam greeted me warmly, wagging his tail. He did not try to hug me, but perhaps he didn't know me well enough for that. He shared dinner with his owners (theirs, not his), but upon their initiation, not his own. He was quiet and dignified - a perfect gentleman.
As you can imagine, if Baron was in that situation, it would have been a different scenario. He would have helped himself to our food and if it was not to his liking, would have sampled meals on the plates of other diners, some of whom might not have welcomed Baron's culinary interest. He would have enthusiastically greeted guests arriving at the restaurant, hurtling all 72 pounds on those he was most happy to see. He'd probably have unintentionally overturned a table or two. Sadly, he might have been invited to leave the restaurant, accompanied by yours truly. Sigh
The well behaved poodle at the restaurant was a reminder as to why we are now working with Trainer Number ...... I think it's number 6.
Yours in Ettiquette,
Botswain
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Horror Story
Hi All
I was recently on a dog-free vacation; this means I was free of Baron, but free to observe and interact with other dogs. I was absolutely horrified to notice a man and his dog jogging on the beach. The dog was right next to his owner. The worst part is that this dog was a black standard poodle!!! I kid you not! This dog ran happily next to his master, and kept a watchful eye on him. The dog was not zig zagging all over the beach. And, to make matters worse, the dog was off leash!!! Could there be hope for Baron?
Wistfully yours,
Botswain
I was recently on a dog-free vacation; this means I was free of Baron, but free to observe and interact with other dogs. I was absolutely horrified to notice a man and his dog jogging on the beach. The dog was right next to his owner. The worst part is that this dog was a black standard poodle!!! I kid you not! This dog ran happily next to his master, and kept a watchful eye on him. The dog was not zig zagging all over the beach. And, to make matters worse, the dog was off leash!!! Could there be hope for Baron?
Wistfully yours,
Botswain
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