So here we are in our third or fourth week of training and I am learning how to correctly get Frankie to Lie down. This Down command is interesting because my 8 pound dog has no interest in it at all and looks like I am trying to kill him when I get him in that position.....

I question all of this, but Jeff's voice kicks in, “8 pound, or 100 pound, a dog is a dog.” or something to that affect. The importance of down is about making sure that if I am out at a cafe lounging carelessly with Frankie at my feet, the Down command is what I would be using. I can see that. Especially if you see the photo of Jeff with his German Sheppards at Starbucks in Wayland Square. It is cool to be able to command your dogs to do what you know is in their best interest, 8 pound or 100 so here I am continuing to learn and to trust Jeff in his wisdom.

I have been diligent in working the Place command and it is working somewhat, except when Dave comes home , then Frankie has an immediate treat potential look in his eyes. 'Place' takes on a different tone when Dave is home as he swears that he is not treating him. I do not believe him, but what can I do. So I continue with Place and am grateful when Frankie looks up at me before he takes a step off.

I have not decided if I like Frankie not following me around, but what I do like is the calm dog I am now seeing. As I said last week, I have a different dog and I know that what Jeff is teaching me is lifelong skills in dog owning. I am looking forward to not having to repeat myself what seems like 100 times a day with Place, but I know it is going to take awhile to teach this old dog new tricks. I have been a little slack in the down command this weekend since it was 4th of July, I had guests and was pretty busy, but tomorrow I am going to work on it.

Jeff said 5 minutes a day, I think I can do that as I am so self competitive that I have to master it before my next lesson so I can get the Jeff Gellman award for being a good pupil. He is tough and as his byline says, not for everyone, but if you are a serious dog owner who wants to have your dog be calm and in control, then I cannot imagine using anyone else for this training. www.Solidk9training.com