Lacer, a six-year-old Labrador Retriever, was adored by her original owner, Bob Adams. An obedience judge and writer from Southern California, Bob often played retrieving games with his energetic dog, and she spent her quiet time relaxing by his desk. When Bob was struck down by inoperable cancer, he immediately began looking for a good home for Lacer. A mutual friend put him in touch with Kurt and Kristine Litke of Rice, Minnesota and they got to know each other through a series of letters. Bob said he was worried that Lacer would be too active for someone living in a small space and told the couple he wanted her to have a permanent home with people who would take good care of her and love her. The Litkes said they had the space and the love.
Two days after Bob’s death, Lacer was shipped to Kurt and Kristine. Mourning for her owner, and shaken by so many sudden changes, the once active Labrador retreated to her shipping crate, making a bee-line for it whenever she felt insecure. A man’s dog, she responded a little to Kurt, but she wouldn’t even make friends with Lucy, the Litkes' friendly young Labrador.
As time passed, Lacer gradually emerged from mourning and began to relax in her new home. Kurt remembered Bob saying that Lacer loved retrieving balls and sticks, but had never had an opportunity to hunt. He knew that a job can do wonders for a dog’s confidence, so he took Lacer to training sessions at his retriever club. When the middle-aged Lab jumped in the lake and swam out to retrieve her first duck, it was the real beginning of her second start. “She’s been doing great ever since,” Kurt says. “Besides enjoying life again, she has a new career. This past fall was her first hunt and she performed well. She hunts with an intense amount of energy and enthusiasm.”
For P.J., Life Began at Five
Socialized as a puppy, P.J. had been banished to a 10' by 10' kennel run during adolescence. From then on, the Golden Retriever was fed and watered and that was all. He had no companionship, no toys, and no opportunity to exercise. Completely bored, and with no outlet for his energy, P.J. pulled all the hair from his legs and belly and chewed rocks until his teeth were worn down to the gum line.
P.J. had survived his personal prison for five years when his breeder heard about his situation and bought him back. Starved for attention, the rescued Golden was barely controllable. It was as if he were trying to make up for all the affection and exercise he had missed, and didn’t knew where to start or which way to turn. His breeder, however, did know which way to turn. She turned to her friend, Dave Wedum, owner of Grizzly Dog Obedience School in Whitefish, Montana, and offered to give P.J. to him.
When Dave saw the exuberant dog, he accepted the offer and took it a step further. He said he would put an obedience title on the high energy animal just to prove it could still be done.
Dave trained P.J., and several months later they competed at an Obedience Trial in Spokane, Washington. All attention was focused on the team when it was their turn to perform, and it proved too much for the excitable Golden. In his glee, he visited the judge and kissed the stewards, and when Dave gave the recall command, P.J. bounded in so eagerly that Dave was knocked backward.
“You’re an awfully brave man,” the judge commented, but he didn’t give P.J. a qualifying score.
Dave kept trying, and by the time P.J. turned six, he earned his Companion Dog (CD) title in obedience. He’s eight now, and Dave says he’s ready to earn a CDX (Companion Dog Excellent). Has he calmed down a little?
“No,” says Dave. “He’s still gets so exuberant about being the center of attention that sometimes he’s on the edge of out of control. But he sure enjoys training sessions and he’s a loving and well-behaved dog at home.”
Why Tricks Are Terrific
You don't have to lead Spot into a whole new career unless you want to, but you can add laughter to his life by teaching him a few tricks. Dogs love making people laugh, just give Spot the opportunity to make you laugh and see how he sparkles. He’ll want to do it again and again. So, why are tricks terrific?
- Teaching them makes you smile.
- Spot feels warm and happy inside when he makes you smile.
- Spot correlates learning tricks with making you smile and feeling warm and happy.
- When other people see a dog doing tricks, they smile too. Some even laugh, and from Spot’s viewpoint, that’s even better.
- Knowing a trick or two will make it much easier to socialize Spot, because he’ll have something to focus on that always earns approval from friendly strangers. But first, he’ll have to be appealing enough to attract their eye. Some dogs are magnets for attention but others are likely to be ignored or feared. How do people react to Spot?
Is socializing Spot somewhat difficult because he’s so big or tough-looking that strangers fear him? Do some people even go out of their way to avoid walking near him on the sidewalk? Spot probably feels their distrust and responds in kind. You don’t want him to feel uneasy around people, but how can you make a formidable mug like his look lovable? Easily. Just tie a bright bandanna around his neck before you take him for a walk. Or attach a big fake flower to his collar. Buy a few seasonal flowers. A silk poinsettia for December. A daffodil to herald spring. You get the picture. Now Spot can’t possibly look frightening. In fact, he’s kind of funny, and funny makes people feel friendly.
Is Spot so plain no one notices him? Or so tiny that people who know nothing about dogs believe he’s brainless? Go for the bandanna (cut it down to fit, of course), or the flower, or a doggie tee shirt that says “Hi. I’m Spot.” Now Spot isn’t scary or plain. Now people won’t think he’s too small to have personality. Now all but confirmed dog-haters (or those with unreasonable fears) will pass Spot with a smile, and some will actually stop and talk to him. Aha! There’s his chance to shine. When someone asks to pet Spot (and someone will), have Spot sit politely for petting (he learned that in Commands for Daily Living). Then tell the person to ask Spot to “shake hands,” or “gimme five,” or whatever cue you taught him. After that, tell Spot to “say hi” (one bark). By then the stranger is laughing and you are smiling. And Spot feels warm and happy inside and correlates his good feelings with obeying his cues and making a new friend.
Three Entertaining Tricks
When teaching these tricks (or any tricks), use praise and treats or toys to motivate Spot. When he does something right, he is rewarded. When he does something wrong, or does nothing at all, he is not rewarded. It’s as simple as that. No force or punishment should ever be involved.
Shaking Hands
As soon as the “Sit” command is second nature to Spot, you can teach him to “shake hands” or “gimme five” (use the same cue words every time). Kneel down to his level after he sits and say whatever the cue will be. Then pick up one of his forelegs, by lifting it from underneath, and shake it gently a couple of times. Praise Spot as soon as you drop the leg, and give him a tiny treat. Repeat five times. Then try it again later, or tomorrow. One day Spot will lift his fore leg as soon as you say the cue word and move your hand toward him. Let him know how tickled you are. Gradually wean Spot off expecting a treat every time he performs, but always tell him what a good boy he is. And once, every five times or so, surprise him with a goodie when he gives you five. Once Spot has this trick down pat, have family and friends practice it with him (but not more than five tries at a time). Eventually he will happily perform it for anyone who asks.
Saying "Hi"
You’ll have to get silly to teach Spot to “say hi” or “speak.” Show Spot his favorite treat or special toy but don’t let him have it. Instead, get him all wound up by teasing him with it. As he dances around, say the cue word excitedly, over and over. The object is to get Spot to make a sound. When he does (even if the sound is a squeak instead of a full-fledged bark), give him the toy or treat and praise him. After he eats the treat or parades the toy, try it again. Five times in a row is plenty.
Soon Spot will make the connection, and bark when you say the cue words and show him the treat. That’s a good start. Continue using the treat or toy until you only have to say the cue words once. Then gradually wean Spot off the treat, just as you did when teaching him to shake hands.
Some dogs anticipate this trick and begin barking before you give the cue. Every time Spot tries that, tell him “Shhhh,” and don’t say the cue words until he quiets down and remains quiet for several seconds.
Sitting Up
Start with Spot sitting in a corner, facing out, as the walls will brace his back as he learns to hold this new position. Tell him to “Sit up,” or whatever cue words you like, show him one of his favorite treats and slowly move it upward to just above his muzzle. As Spot watches and stretches toward it, keep moving your hand backwards toward his eyes. As soon as he sits up on his haunches, give him the treat and praise him (if he stands on his hind legs instead of sitting up, you probably held the treat too high above bis muzzle). Gradually increase the length of time Spot sits up before you reward him. When he’s no longer wobbly, he won’t need the corner. Five tries in a row is plenty when teaching this trick, and there’s really no need to wean Spot off the treat.
