BarkingProse

Look at that face. That’s me. Don’t I just look sweet and perhaps mild mannered? Ha! Looks can be deceiving. I was born with the adventure gene, headstrong and always seeking to do what pleased me at the moment. Mind you I have never been aggressive. I get along with everyone, people and dogs. I especially love cats – often more than the cat appreciates.

At the age of four months Mom enrolled me at a training school called Puppy Manners not too far from Asherpark. My first entry level class was basic obedience for puppies under the age of six months. Having no idea what class and training meant I was looking forward to this new adventure.

We show up for the first class and gather in a giant classroom with chairs lining the sides. We’re instructed to take a seat. Mom on the chair, of course, and me obediently at her feet. When it dawned on me what was happening I revolted. I didn’t sign up to sit quietly while some instructor talked to the people. No way!

I launched into my damsel in distress mode and started wailing and pitching a fit. Mom did her best to get me to calm down, but nothing was working. All the other dogs were sort of under control, but my behavior was disrupting the whole class.

Then it happened. One of the trainers named Dave walked over to us. He was the biggest man I had ever seen and for a minute I had second thoughts about my behavior, but since I had everyone’s attention I decided to continue with the show.

Turns out Dave wasn’t your ordinary guy. He could whisper to horses and something about him made dogs and people calm down. I heard him say to Mom, “We have to get her under control or you’ll have nothing but trouble. Would you mind if I worked with her during class?”

Mom just about tossed me into Dave’s arms. Well, not really, but she was very glad to be rid of me for the moment. Now I really was a the center of attention.

While Dave’s wife taught the class, Dave sat on the floor holding me as I struggled to get loose. I remember his giant hands gently restraining me. Occasionally he would explain to the class what he was doing. The more I struggled the tighter he held me with just enough pressure to control me but never hurt me. The moment I relaxed, he relaxed his grip. This was sending a signal to me that resistance was futile and giving up would give me the freedom I wanted.

While the rest of the puppies took a break for recess, Dave and I sat together on the floor with Mom watching. By now I was getting pretty tired. The class came back from recess and saw I was still struggling. Dave explained that I could not be allowed to win this battle, and so we continued on through the remainder of the class. Dave told the group that if I did not give up before the class ended, he and I would continue sitting on the floor together until I agreed he was boss.

Then it happened. Maybe I was just bone tired – I had been wrestling with Dave for nearly an hour. Maybe I saw that my bad behavior wasn’t getting me what I wanted. Maybe I had come to like Dave and decided I would make peace with him. Whatever the reason I stopped all the struggling and went limp. Dave immediately released his grip and I settled into a happy snuggle with him. I yawned two or three times, licked his face and fell asleep in his arms.

So now you know the experience that changed my life and taught Mom things she never knew. I’ll tell more in the next Bark about our homework and how this technique known as passive restraint helped me become a better dog.

 

My first summer at Asherpark was like a fairy tale. My Uncle Ash was so excited to meet me. He could hardly believe Mom had brought him a puppy to raise. I could tell that he enjoyed my company even if I was way too little to keep up with him. Mom said I took his mind of losing his girlfriend Tess.

Ash was the best nanny dog a little pup could ever have. He was big and warm and strong. I felt so safe around him and he always kept an eye on me especially when I was little. I didn’t realize until much later there were creatures who might eat me – owls, eagles, coyotes, even bobcats. With Ash as my bodyguard I could go anywhere.

Looking back it’s hard to believe how patient Ash was with me. He let me pull on his fur and sit on his head. When I got tired he let me curl up next to him and sleep.

I remember puppy dreams when I’d jerk and yip in my sleep. Then I’d wake up and see Ash looking at me kindly with his big blue eyes. I loved my Uncle Ash so much. These aren’t the clearest pics but you get the idea how Ash put up with a little runt like me crawling all over him.

 

 

Time went by quickly that first summer. I got to meet lots of special friends and family. Ash taught me how to race around and bark at anything that moved. I was learning bathroom habits and how to behave. It was the best summer a puppy could ever have. I’m so grateful. Thank you Ash. I will never forget you.