We were thrown out of our first dog training classes because when practising recall, I would shout, "come on!" and he would run off around the room, steal other dogs toys and generally show off. It was like I'd shouted, "Go and play!" He has a very high pitched bark. So high, that before we got him the breeders called him mouse because it was a squeak. The bark, coupled with a loathing of pigeons in our garden caused the neighbour to complain and so we consulted the wonderful Rebecca from Pets in Partnership. In half an hour, she had stopped him chasing the broom, the hoover, the mop and flies. The pigeons would be a work in progress. We decided that her dog training classes would be a good idea. I warned her that we'd been thrown out of the last class but she didn't think it would be a problem.
When we started recall she said that my dog was confused. "Come on" was used all the time for some many other things and it didn't always mean "stop what you are doing right now and come here." As that's too long to shout in the park we decided to find another word. We chose "Biscuits". Now, he is absolutely brilliant he knows that biscuits means HERE NOW!
Our family has always been prone to a spot of stress-baking. Last night, we all made something. My son and I have recently branched out into biscuits, rather than cake. He made strawberry and cream shortbreads. They looked so good and I couldn't wait to try one. After dinner I shouted, "Biscuits!" and the dog appeared at my feet looking very confused.
