Master training

Siena had her first puppy class last night. True to form, the mini-beast was the most rambunctious puppy there, but I like to think the brightest, too. Regardless, she definitely had the most spunk and gave the instructor some sass. In so doing, however, she left the class with her rear-end totally soaked. When the instructor doesn’t like something a puppy is doing, say barking while he’s trying to talk, he squirts them with a little bit of water from a spray bottle. Needless to say, Siena was a “fighter” (his words) and took a few squirts to get the gist. (It’s the red hair in her, I guess.)

It was cuteness overload though. There were about seven other puppies there – little ones, big ones and itty-bitty ones. I could clearly pick out a lab, two golden retrievers (one was the white kind like Oprah has), a schnauzer and a very timid pekingese. Siena loved playing with them all and was very gentle to the ones that were a quarter of her size.

Despite the time spent playing and squirting Siena, the class was mainly for the masters or “coaches” as our instructor called us. He gave some great tips on walking on a loose leash, house training and getting our puppies to come when called.

We have also successfully instated the 1-2-3 rule. Basically, when you want your dog to do something you tell them once, twice and then if they still haven’t done it, you make them do it (i.e., pick them up, sit their butt down, put them in the kennel, etc.). This way the rascals learn that they have to do what you say, one way or the other. Resistance is futile, basically.

The best message of the night though, must have been that puppies are exactly that. They’re young dogs just out exploring and figuring out the world. They get their cues from you. You just have to show them how it’s done.

For anyone out there who is thinking of getting a puppy…I highly suggest puppy classes that are reward-based and gentle. It’ll bring out the pack leader in ya -- promise!