Yesterday was a big day, Kozmo got to go to PetCo, wait in the car while I had a doctor's appointment and then go to school. PetCo was first. He was perfect. No barking, no misbehaving. He did try to help himself to a treat from the treat bar, but he's a dog, we can't expect too much. He met other people and was in a strange environment and still listened and behaved. At the checkout counter he sat politely while the clerk gave him two treats. We were proud.
Next the other human had to run into Staples. Kozmo and I waited on the sidewalk outside. Cars went by, lots of people went by and Kozmo remained sitting. A little girl came up and asked if she could pet my dog. I told her mom he might jump. They both assured me they have a lab and this was ok. Kozmo loved this little girl, let her pet him and when she told him to sit and lay down he obeyed her. By the time our human came out of the store Kozmo was jumping up to to get a leaf for this little girl, as soon as he got the leaf he would lay down. We were proud even if the little angel forced me to be nice to a kid and talk to strangers.
Kozmo and Human waited for me while I was at the doctors. Both took a nap and didn't destroy anything in the car. We were off to class. Kozmo goes in and sits down without a single bark. Both trainers came around to tell us how much he as improved. The first exercise was recall. Only I had to hide where he couldn't see me and call him. He did this perfectly twice. Then we had to work on down without doing sit first. The trainer used Kozmo as a demonstration dog. In a happy voice she said "one, two, three, DOWN" and he went right to the ground. He even did it when we practiced.
The rest of class was a disaster. I received more corrections than Kozmo. I hold the treats too high, I let him get away with stuff, blah, blah, blah. I never liked school anyway. We had to walk off leash. Kozmo did everything you can imagine except walk next to me. We had to do down stay and walk in a circle behind our dogs. Every time Kozmo gets up to see where I am going.
When we got home I attempted to trim his nails. Front feet are done. Third nail of first back foot and I got it too short and he bled. Not sure which was worse, Kozmo crying and laying on the guilt or the other telling me how awful and mean I am. I went to bed thinking maybe Kozmo deserves a better human. Maybe I'm not as good of a dog mom as I try to be.
This morning I tried to take him out one last time before I left for work. Rather than pee or poop he wanted to play tug with his leash and jump. My white shirt has mud all over...not just the bottom...he jumped up and got his muddy paws on my shoulders. Then he slipped out of his collar. Luckily he was so focused on tugging his leash he didn't realize he wasn't in his collar. I took the liberty of using the scruff of his neck, got him inside, secured in his crate, changed my clothes and headed to work.
Kozmo gets neutered on Monday. Meanwhile he is going for the hike of his life tomorrow.
Looking forward to less challenging doggy days......
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