Five Dog Quartet

Basil had his last dog class last night, and it was much more work with him than it has been with my other dogs.

Buddy was a dream in his classes, he learns fast, and will work for almost anything.

Emma Lou had some issues with other dogs in the beginning of her class, but she learned quick too. It's hard to match a terrier for work ethic and trainability. Plus, since she has a little Schnauzer in the genetic mix she will work for almost any kind of food.

Curly never went to a class. He is one of those dogs that ruin pet owners forever. Curly is just good, he comes when he's called, he does what you ask, and when off leash does not run off. He is NOT typical, and people always think I am the dog training goddess when they meet him, because he's so good. Really he is just one of those rare dogs who need no training.

The Princess Pea weighing in at not quite 1.5 pounds has never been to a class either. She lays in her bed on top of a heating pad all the time. She uses a pee pad, eats, and sleeps. Once in awhile, she comes out to bark and demand attention. Her health and her size just make a dog class too dangerous, though socially she could really benefit.

Which brings me back to Basil. I feel he is one of the cutest dogs ever, though of course I am biased. Since he has been sick for the entire time I have owned him, he has never been to a class. I'm not talking about a little bit sick, I'm talking about I'm not sure he is going to make it sick. So sick that he slept with me so I could monitor him, so sick that I took him to work everyday just in case I had to run him to the vet, so sick I took him everywhere with me. People just had to deal with the fact if Ben and I went some place, Basil went to. However, all of this attention has brought about consequences, Basil has become that little dog people hate. He barks, he's demanding for attention, jealous of other dogs and people, and is basically an asshole. The worst part is, it's all my fault. I admit it, my dog is an asshole because of me.

So what now you ask? Well, he won't work for food, and he won't work for attention. He will work for toys, but that is a pain in the ass and I hate it. There has also been the debate about if he's deaf. I've had him since 4 months old, and he still doesn't answer to his name, or even act like he can hear me talking to him. Which makes everyone wonder if he can even hear the clicker. Basil is hyper, and LOVES to bark at the other dogs in class, lovely huh? So where in this is the training happening? A little at a time, day by day, one thing at a time, and he can not work at the pace the rest of the class is going. So last night was the last class, and he did graduate, though only because the trainer loves him, and despite everything he IS better, it's just going to take more time. After everything he was able to wear his little cap and gown, and get his picture taken.

All I have to say, is thank god we can re-take the class as often as we want for the next 6 months, because he is going to need it.