The "Top Dog"

Scout has been in a weekly training class since mid-January. We have missed 2 sessions out of the 5 (one due to finding out the night of the first class, one due to illness), but we've learned so much during 3 sessions! He'll be doing the next set of 6 sessions immediately following this set, too, so I'm looking forward to that. 

What a whole new adventure this has been for me! I have been loving every bit of learning about dog training and seeing Scout master big and little skills along the way. I'm no professional, and I certainly know that I am probably making some mistakes along the way, but Scout is a pretty good dog. We still are learning how to channel some of this puppy energy into positive outlets rather than ruined pillows and making holes in blankets, but training is a process that takes patience, time, and repetition. We heard about the trainer from a few people, and they raved about how great she was, and I've loved it. She explains things well, helps where you are having trouble, and has been a huge asset in Scout's training. 

To keep a long story from getting much longer, I am totally having a proud dog-momma moment over here. The class has a traveling trophy each week to the most improved dog from one week to the next. Tonight Scout got to bring it home! It's embarrassing to admit, but I almost cried because it was so uplifting to know that we aren't just biased in seeing his progress. Then again, it's not that hard to get me to cry. (I won't even tell you how many Superbowl commercials this year made me cry. I'll give you a hint: it was at least 3. Especially you, Nationwide.) The lady that ran it tonight said that he really is responding well to commands and that I'm doing a good job with commanding him clearly and firmly. (I was really quiet the first class!) He even worked on doing his work tonight without a treat until the end of his exercises rather than little nibbles throughout. Yup, he's been a hard worker! 

So here it is, Scout's trophy for the week! 

In all fairness I have to say that for all of the times we've gone I have hoped and prayed that he would neither be the "naughty child" nor the "class clown", and he's done pretty well....until tonight. He was so whiny the first half of class, and he was letting out his big ol' obnoxious pterodactyl yawns. The whole class actually laughed at him while I was sitting there going, "Hush, puppy!!" As if the whole world needed to know that the same 7-8 slot of the class is his usual nap time...but I guess I'll take class pterodactyl over the naughty child any day. Ironic that THIS would be the night the trophy comes home, but that's our boy!