Today I’m writing to my fellow dogs. I want to tell of how I trained my human, his name is Andrew.
I started the training right away, right after I adopted him. We were in the back yard and I was running around sniffing all the wonderful scents and enjoying being a dog when Andrew called me over. He had a ball in his hand and he threw it to the other side of the yard. Then he said, “Fetch” and added, “Go get it boy!” So that’s what fetch means.
Well, I just looked at him and thought, If you wanted the ball so bad why did you throw it away to begin with? After Andrew fetched the ball, threw it a few more times, and fetched it a few more times, he got the idea that I’m not a ball chasing kind of dog. I know some of you like to chase balls and sticks, but not me.
Next, I had to train him when we took our walks. We all know that walks are not for exercise, doing your “business” or to enjoy the scenery. Walks are for sniffing where other dogs have gone before. But humans just don’t get it.
At first, Andrew would let me sniff for a few seconds and then tug on the insidious leash he makes me wear. But I planted my feet, all four of them, firmly on the ground. The only thing that moved was my collar when it slipped off. Then he bought me a chest harness. It’s green and looks good against my tan colored fur if I do say so myself. Anyway, that didn’t work either, I just dug in deeper. Now Andrew waits patiently while I get my sniffing done.
The last thing I want to tell you about is what Andrew calls my passive resistance. You all know how much fun it is to roll around on the grass. Well, I happen to like it more than most dogs. And when I’m done, I lay there with a smile on my face. Of course, Andrew is always in a rush to get home. But I’m not moving until I’m ready, so he drags me along the soft grass like a sack of potatoes (it feels good) until he sees I’m not getting up. Then I’m left alone to get up under my own volition. I got that idea from reading a book about some guy named Gandhi.
Okay, that’s it. Now get out there and train your humans. They will thank you for it and be much happier.
danny the dog 
Hey Danny,
Nice to meet you.
You have to watch the two-legs… they think they’ve got a handle on things, so you have to humour them, of course… but you’re right, they need careful training.
Mine, for instance, has a bad habit of closing the fridge door behind her. And can I get her to throw balls for more than half an hour at a time? Stubborn, that’s what they are.
Good luck with yours… I’ve been working on mine for the last three years…. 😛
Much love,
Ani xxx
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Thanks …
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Hey, Danny, have you read Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain? That silly dog Enzo actually aspires to “evolve” into a human in his next life! Check out the video at:
http://www.garthstein.com/works/the-art-of-racing-in-the-rain/video-book-trailer/
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Elsa and Stormin’ Norman here. We think your training tips are ‘pawfect!’ Because we live in an area where it snows in the winter, our best upright training tip is to ALWAYS sniff in the deepest part of the snow and give ourselves extra points when that spot is a foot farther than the lease might reach. And always pull in different directions to see if huMoms are wishbones.
Your fur-iends,
Elsa & Stormin’ Norman
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I know what you’re saying, Elsa and Stormin’ Norman.
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