I'm back!

Hi All,
After a relaxing vacation I am once again home with Baron.  Upon entering the house, Baron welcomed me in the manner any parent of a human toddler would be proud of.  He gave a flying leap, nearly knocking over myself, my husband and the taxi driver standing behind us.  Alex, the driver, expressed regret that Baron paid little attention to him.  His feelings were hurt.  Really?  He must be sturdier than us.  After his impressive jump, Baron tried very hard to contain his enthusiasm.  He jumped over the couches and raced up and down the stairs.  I am seriously considering an agility class - he might have talent.

Baron behaved fairly well in our absence.  He didn't have any poodle parties, was not caught eating sourdough bread (i.e. no need for detox) and didn't pounce on the new puppy next door (of course the 5 foot fence helps). 
Now that I'm home, I do have to revisit dog training.  We have exceeded the 6 lesson package that Trainer #6 usually recommends for her clients, but, Baron is no ordinary client.
All for now,
Botswain

SUCCESS!!!

Hi All,
Great news here at Poodle Place!  Baron's behavior has actually improved!  Isn't that amazing?  I know, dear readers, you had your doubts - so did I.  As many of you know, I have never divulged the true identities of Baron's trainers in order to protect their reputations.  Trainer number 6 has no need to remain anonymous, shocking though that might be.  Her name is Debra Thomas, and she has done one heck of job working with Baron and his beloved handler (that would be me).  Debra even has a web site - she is obviously not technologically challenged as Baron's handler (ahem) is.  Her web site is: www.animalaffinity.biz
Baron is no longer the 2nd worst in his dog obedience class, although the miniature daschund is still the worst - you just can't tell if he's standing or sitting (that is a daschund for you).  Baron and his beloved handler (that would be me) even received a compliment from the handler of the 2 golden receivers; you remember her, the one who insisted that Baron was not facing forward?  I am happy to report that she noticed the improvement in Baron's behavior and was generous enough to comment on it.
I think Baron deserves the "most improved" award.
All for now,
Botswain

Applause

Hi All,
Baron and I went for a walk tonight and the most amazing thing happened.  I was able to heel him past 2 huskies who were barking in their yard (fenced-in thank heavens)! A woman (who I didn't see at first) applauded us!!!  Isn't that terrific?  She was walking her dog and saw us successfully maneuver past the diversion.  I told her it's her turn now, but she said she's not ready to take on the huskies.
Maybe Baron's 6th trainer is actually helpful!
All for now,
Botswain
PS
The trainer for our dog obedience is not applauding us.

Class #5, but who is counting?

Hi All,
Tuesday night was Baron's 5th dog obedience class (he could only attend 4), and he got mixed reviews.  He is definitely improving, but is not gaining in popularity amongst the dog handlers.  One handler told me (at least twice) that Baron was not facing directly forward.  Really lady, get a ruler.  A doberman pinscher nudged him during the infamous "figure eights", and Baron didn't budge.  I was rather proud of him.  I really hope there will not be an exam during the final class.  I always get test anxiety.
Baron's trainer is hinting that the problem is not all Baron's; I wonder what she means by that?
All for now,
Botswain

The Beat (or class) goes on

Hi All,
Baron's 4th class was tonight.  Last week he was successful in class and it went to his head.  Once we got home, he nipped me until I took him downstairs, ran him through some commands until he finally got tired and went to sleep.
Tonight I won't have that problem because he is spending a couple of days with his personal trainer.  I told her Baron prefers to sleep in the middle and she insisted that no dogs sleep in her bed.  We'll see.
Baron is doing fairly well in class.  He is smart and learns quickly (quicker than his beloved handler - that would be me).  It is hard to be a successful handler when you confuse right and left - but no one is perfect.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
I wish the trainer and her husband good luck sleeping tonight.

Good News and Bad News

Hi All,
Baron attended his 2nd Novice Dog Obedience Class on Tuesday.  Believe it or not, there is a lot of good news.
1) Baron did not cry, bark and pace for the entire night after his dog obedience class; for those of us who live with him, this was huge!
2) Baron was not the worst dog in the class.
OK, maybe there isn't a lot of good news, but there was some.  Now on to the bad news.
1) Baron was the 2nd worst dog in the class.  Most class members might remember Baron as the worst, but the worst was a miniature dachshund.  This dog was so small that no one noticed him, so Baron got a bad wrap. 
2) The trainer had to correct Baron several times in front of the other students.  He was quite embarrassed, to say nothing of his beloved handler (that would be me).
Normally, I might suggest that Baron's future in dog obedience classes or, heaven forbid, trials, is severely limited.  Unfortunately, master (aka my husband) thinks dog obedience trials give Baron something to work toward.  I think master is slightly deranged.
All for now,
Botswain

GREAT NEWS

Hi All,
I have great news for you!  Baron just received the supreme compliment from the manager of our vet's office - OK, you doubters, I mean veterinarian, not veteran affairs.  She told me Baron is a beautifully trained dog!  No, she was not on drugs when she said this.  She really meant it.  She ellaborated that he is a beautifully trained dog, he just has a behavior problem.
Oh well, no one is perfect (except myself of course).
Botswain