I got a 2 year old rescue pug in a potty training workshop. Workshops aren't
very popular, and there are either no enrollments or 1-2 dogs. So basically,
the enrollees get a $59/hr. private session for $15.

The only thing I like about these workshops is that I can deal with the problem
the owners present, and then go on to work on other things that need
addressing. For example, Shadow the terrified min pin came to a Come When
Called workshop. After going through the curriculum, we worked on socializing
her. She is now an exuberantly friendly little girl.

So Harland the pug was potty trained, but was marking. He's due to be
neutered, and he only marks in one spot, so it was relatively easy to deal with
(not that neutering is the answer for all dogs, but it may help). His owners
are highly motivated, and I believe they'll get on top of it.

But mom has been trying to teach Harland to sit for two weeks. He used to live
in a house with 15 other dogs, and he was never taught *anything*. At 2 years
old, he hasn't a clue about learning.

The first 30 minutes or so, Harland was too busy exploring to be motivated by
treats. Even hotdogs didn't get his attention. So we chatted while he nosed
around the training area, and eventually he got bored and decided to give us
some attention. I offered him a piece of hotdog again, and he took it eagerly.

I put him on a dog bed (the flat kind) - we still don't have mats - and tried
to lure him into a sit. It took quite a while, a very puzzled expression on
the little guy's face, and he finally put his butt down. After several tries
from his owner, he was doing it more quickly, and without the food in his face.


So then I took him off the bed and brought him over to a small (3x5) rug that I
bought for protecting delicate doggie butts who don't like the cold floor. I
had an idea of what was going to happen. :} As expected, Harland looked very
puzzled again. Dad kept trying to lure him, and I told him not to - just keep
giving him the hand signal and wait for him to think about it. He concentrated
for a long time, looking at that hand signal, thinking about what he was
supposed to do.

And then he walked back over to the dog bed and sat. :}

So I moved the dog bed to the rug, and had his owner try again. Yup, he sat.
And then I moved the bed off the rug, and had his owner ask for a sit on the
rug. He thought about it for a minute, and then slowly lowered his butt.

The expression on his face was priceless. Oh, THIS is what you want me to do!

He's going to be coming to a class. I have a feeling this dog is *not* going
to be difficult to train. He really enjoyed himself, once he understood.

PetsMart Pet Trainer
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Last updated June 27 at 10:00 a.m.