Obedience Extraordinaire

We really had a great day today.

Aside from one growling incident with my dad (which I think he either didn't hear or didn't care enough to comment on), Marge seemed to be pretty relaxed around him. I actually convinced him to pick up the leash and heel her around the room. Since she's so driven by food and WILL heel with almost anyone for almost anything, I figured it was more productive than some of the other stuff. He was able to call her to him as well!

My mom was particularly impressed. Or so I think. Unless she was being sarcastic. But I don't think so this time.

She had some nice things to say about Marge and stood up for her last night (which made me really happy) against some less-than-understanding friends who complained about how they haven't been in my house in awhile and how my dog would be fine with them there. Some claimed that they would "ignore" Marge. I won't believe that for a minute. All it takes is for Marge so show the slightest interest in them with eye contact or a sniff and they'll be aut0 best friends. Mhmmmm.

But the real icing on the cake was obedience. Ugh, I'm sorry, I just have to gloat for a minute..

• Perfect poise in crowd situation - man with a walker, jogger, person sitting down, other dogs going by. She performed both by remaining in a sit-stay AND then navigating through the traffic without being nervous or overly distracted. awesome!


• Excellent sit and down stays even when treats were being dropped in front of her and the trainers were calling her to them.


• Good recall and sitting in the front position


• Letting trainer Louann pet her! Yes! And she wasn't overly nervous about it, either. She was willing to work with Louann for a treat. She was able to scratch Marge's chin with ease and stroke her back with not too much of a problem. It really was awesome.

Louann said I could get her onto some sort of stunt/trick dog list once I have a bunch of basic parlor tricks mastered. We're at a pretty good level right now. Imagine my Marge in a photo shoot or on a commercial? That'd be so cool. I mean, I don't think it'll happen, but to be paid that compliment meant something to me.

I also had the trainer hold Marge's leash while I got to briefly work with her champion Standard Poodle. That was really something.

Marge also was perfectly comfortable standing in close quarters with a couple of men and targeted a couple of women. Woohoo!

This was definitely all a step in the right direction. Class really seems to bring out the best in Marge - she is so relaxed despite the people bustling all over the place.