11/15/2024
Train your doggies! It not only turns them into pleasant cohabitants, but also exercises their brains, burns off mental (and sometimes physical) energy, and gives them much-needed structure. It's often very handy for people, too: "Fetch the ball! Get in the car! Transcribe my medical records!" (Miles didn't actually do that, but I bet he could have). Learning should always be fun and positive: none of that "dominate your dog" stuff. Caveat emptor when selecting a dog trainer: this is not a regulated industry and anybody can call themselves a trainer.
What to teach your dog? I recommend sit, down (as in, lie down), come, stay, off (as in, removeth thy body from wherevereth it resteth), leave it (do not touch that), and place (as in, this is yours - please use it). I taught Miles "out" which meant "spit that out immediately" and I'm sure it saved him a surgery: when I used it IRL he spit out an enormous acorn. Other than the Big 7, the sky is the limit. "Go start the car" might be a stretch, or "Can you get my coffee started, please?"
