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
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
WARNING!!!
Hi All,
Baron and I learned a difficult lesson this week. We would like to help our readers avoid the difficulty we encountered. Burs are not dormant in the winter. This is the sad truth dear reader, burs are not dormant. Baron was happily investigating the park and, for once, responded quickly when called (hard to believe, isn't it?). He was covered in burs. For those of you have never had the experience of removing burs from a dog, let alone a poodle with thick curly hair, rest assured, it is not fun! They were embedded in the fur on his ears, on his paws, his back, his chest. Any move he made only served to make things worse. I thought of calling his groomer, but, we all know how popular he is with her under the best of circumstances - which this was not. Finally, after much painful (for both of us) work, I was able to remove those nasty little sticklers.
Hence, the important lesson of this week - STAY AWAY FROM BURS.
Pricklily yours,
Botswain
PS
I did emerge from this experience without a scratch. For once, I have to compliment Baron's patience with me.
Baron and I learned a difficult lesson this week. We would like to help our readers avoid the difficulty we encountered. Burs are not dormant in the winter. This is the sad truth dear reader, burs are not dormant. Baron was happily investigating the park and, for once, responded quickly when called (hard to believe, isn't it?). He was covered in burs. For those of you have never had the experience of removing burs from a dog, let alone a poodle with thick curly hair, rest assured, it is not fun! They were embedded in the fur on his ears, on his paws, his back, his chest. Any move he made only served to make things worse. I thought of calling his groomer, but, we all know how popular he is with her under the best of circumstances - which this was not. Finally, after much painful (for both of us) work, I was able to remove those nasty little sticklers.
Hence, the important lesson of this week - STAY AWAY FROM BURS.
Pricklily yours,
Botswain
PS
I did emerge from this experience without a scratch. For once, I have to compliment Baron's patience with me.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Math Tutor needed
Hi All,
Baron has had so many trainers, I am having difficulty keeping track. I just can't count that high. Is it 6 or 7? Dear reader, if you have an abacus, please advise.
Faithfully yours,
Botswain
Baron has had so many trainers, I am having difficulty keeping track. I just can't count that high. Is it 6 or 7? Dear reader, if you have an abacus, please advise.
Faithfully yours,
Botswain
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Guinness Book of World Records
Hi All,
Lynn, potentially the newest member of Baron's staff, just left after a two hour audition. The good news: Baron liked her, and so did we. The bad news: she thinks he needs training (where would she ever get that idea?).
It is really hard for me to count that high, but I do believe, if chosen, Lynn would be trainer #7!
OK dear readers, here is my question: Does this qualify us for the Guinness Book of World Records? I think 7 trainers might be a new record.
Baron is tired after his training, I have to go fluff his pillow.
All for now,
Botswain
Lynn, potentially the newest member of Baron's staff, just left after a two hour audition. The good news: Baron liked her, and so did we. The bad news: she thinks he needs training (where would she ever get that idea?).
It is really hard for me to count that high, but I do believe, if chosen, Lynn would be trainer #7!
OK dear readers, here is my question: Does this qualify us for the Guinness Book of World Records? I think 7 trainers might be a new record.
Baron is tired after his training, I have to go fluff his pillow.
All for now,
Botswain
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Trainer number 6?
Hi All,
I spoke with Lynn, who will be auditioning for the role of dog trainer. If selected, she will be Trainer #6 (I don't count the trainer I consulted when Baron was a young puppy). Lynn prefers positive reinforcement which she pairs with not giving any directions to the dog. For example, if Baron happens to sit, he gets a treat. I assume if he happens to jump on her, she stands there, eye to eye with Baron, until he decides to get off her, at which time he gets a treat. Little does she know how tenacious he can be. When it comes to misbehavior, Baron has stamina!
Lynn offered to do a "meet and greet" in our home at no charge. Hence I have nothing to lose.
I'll keep you posted.
Botswain
I spoke with Lynn, who will be auditioning for the role of dog trainer. If selected, she will be Trainer #6 (I don't count the trainer I consulted when Baron was a young puppy). Lynn prefers positive reinforcement which she pairs with not giving any directions to the dog. For example, if Baron happens to sit, he gets a treat. I assume if he happens to jump on her, she stands there, eye to eye with Baron, until he decides to get off her, at which time he gets a treat. Little does she know how tenacious he can be. When it comes to misbehavior, Baron has stamina!
Lynn offered to do a "meet and greet" in our home at no charge. Hence I have nothing to lose.
I'll keep you posted.
Botswain
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sigh
Hi All,
I know it has been awhile since the last update - this is because I am still trying to collect myself (not to mention Baron and Lucy). Apparently Baron has made such an impression on the groomer, that she enlisted the aid of her friend, Lynn, the dog trainer. The good news is no one was charged (not even me for a change). The bad news is the groomer wants me to speak with Lynn prior to Baron's next visit to the "Poodle Parlour".
Apparently the groomer has never worked with a dog like Baron (he is one of a kind). He's not mean or aggressive, just annoying. She asked Lynn to help her (unbeknown to me). I was unable to bring Baron to his last grooming session, and Stephanie, who did bring him, told me a trainer was there to solicit new clients. To make a long story short, the new client she had in mind was none other than Baron! Frankly, Baron has had so much training he could teach a few classes. In fact, he is writing a book - "How I flunked Dog Obedience: Baron's Guide to Learning Differences." I can relate. I hope the book is successful and pays for future dog obedience classes.
All for now,
Botswain
I know it has been awhile since the last update - this is because I am still trying to collect myself (not to mention Baron and Lucy). Apparently Baron has made such an impression on the groomer, that she enlisted the aid of her friend, Lynn, the dog trainer. The good news is no one was charged (not even me for a change). The bad news is the groomer wants me to speak with Lynn prior to Baron's next visit to the "Poodle Parlour".
Apparently the groomer has never worked with a dog like Baron (he is one of a kind). He's not mean or aggressive, just annoying. She asked Lynn to help her (unbeknown to me). I was unable to bring Baron to his last grooming session, and Stephanie, who did bring him, told me a trainer was there to solicit new clients. To make a long story short, the new client she had in mind was none other than Baron! Frankly, Baron has had so much training he could teach a few classes. In fact, he is writing a book - "How I flunked Dog Obedience: Baron's Guide to Learning Differences." I can relate. I hope the book is successful and pays for future dog obedience classes.
All for now,
Botswain
Friday, December 10, 2010
Therapy Dog continued
Hi All,
For those of you who were anticipating Baron's career as a therapy dog, you might want to find something else to anticipate. Baron will not make it as a therapy dog. I know this may not be a surprise for some of you, but for those of us who live with Baron, it was an unhappy shock.
Baron's trainer suggested that Baron attend Barklee's School for Barking Boys and Girls daily for 6 months in order to qualify as a therapy dog. He later gave up and suggested I take Baron to a nursing home and see if they let him in. It doesn't look good.
In the mean time Baron has had fun accompanying me on errands. His favorite is to the optometrist. Baron loves glasses, he thinks they are delicious. I have the leftovers as proof of his enjoyment.
All for now.
Botswain
For those of you who were anticipating Baron's career as a therapy dog, you might want to find something else to anticipate. Baron will not make it as a therapy dog. I know this may not be a surprise for some of you, but for those of us who live with Baron, it was an unhappy shock.
Baron's trainer suggested that Baron attend Barklee's School for Barking Boys and Girls daily for 6 months in order to qualify as a therapy dog. He later gave up and suggested I take Baron to a nursing home and see if they let him in. It doesn't look good.
In the mean time Baron has had fun accompanying me on errands. His favorite is to the optometrist. Baron loves glasses, he thinks they are delicious. I have the leftovers as proof of his enjoyment.
All for now.
Botswain
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