second training class

Poor Tug! For a whole year we've taught and reinforced "sit!" He's good at it and understands what's expected. Now, the training class is learning three commands: sit, lie down and stand. Yeah, "stand" is a command. He was already learning "lie down" and has it to the point he sometimes does it on his own to see if a treat is forthcoming. But "stand?"

For a whole year he's been told that his butt on the floor made him a "good boy." He doesn't actually just stand around- he's either in motion or sitting. We've taken to watching for moments when he's just arrived and his hind legs haven't bent to sit yet. We say "stand" as encouragingly as we can and try to get a treat to his mouth before his butt hits the floor. It's so sad- he sees the treat coming and tries to "sit" before it gets there...just like we've wanted him to do for a year.

I thought we could just skip the "stand" and let it go but the trainer had a good point. It's helpful for the vet's office for a check up and in the bath. Actually, he always stands in the tub because we're leaning over it to wash him and he's always looking for a good "sneak-a-kiss" moment. I still need to get one of those shirts that say "Bostons kiss on the lips."