TD3. Once we arrive in the training area, rope untangled, the fun, easy part begins. Jackson knows the routine and pretty much shadows me right from the beginning.
At one point however, the rope tightened. So, I glanced over my shoulder to see what was going on. Was the rope caught on something? Did Jackson spot a squirrel or something else of interest? None of the above. Jackson was just sitting there looking at me as if to say “what is this nonsense all about? Are we going somewhere or what?”
With just a gentle tug on the rope and my hurrying off away from him, this little rebellion was over.
Now you must picture this setting: We are in an open lot in a new development. No construction going on within hundreds of yards. No cars. No people. No commotion. Just Jackson and me and almost ghostly silence. All of a sudden there is a loud “CHIRP, CHIP, CHIP, CHIRP!” I look all around and finally spot its source. It’s a lone Mockingbird above us, flying in a circle and just chewing us out! I imagine it was protecting either a nest or possibly young offspring. Finally it landed –about 75 feet away and continued to chip at these intruders to his domain. Now Jackson is extreemely interested. Consider what we have here: An antagonistic bird, just 75 feet away. An 8-month, 50-pound highly excited dog, an 882-month, 185-pound highly worried man, a slack 50-foot rope –rapidly being taken up by Flash Gordon as he makes a B-line for this feathered creature! Will I be the yanker or the yankee?!!? This has never happened to me before! With only a second or two to spare, I held onto the loop of rope around my waist and leaned away from the charging Jackson as best I could.
WHOOMP! Jackson did an outside loop, the Mockingbird flew away (probably chuckling to itself), and, miraculously, I was still standing. I think this whole, impromptu exercise probably reinforced Jackson’s newfound realization that he cannot run freely without consequence.
So, TD3 came to an end. Jackson visited me for a few minutes at Loco Lane, had some water, and received a few little treats while getting just a little more training in the “sit” command.
At one point however, the rope tightened. So, I glanced over my shoulder to see what was going on. Was the rope caught on something? Did Jackson spot a squirrel or something else of interest? None of the above. Jackson was just sitting there looking at me as if to say “what is this nonsense all about? Are we going somewhere or what?”
With just a gentle tug on the rope and my hurrying off away from him, this little rebellion was over.
Now you must picture this setting: We are in an open lot in a new development. No construction going on within hundreds of yards. No cars. No people. No commotion. Just Jackson and me and almost ghostly silence. All of a sudden there is a loud “CHIRP, CHIP, CHIP, CHIRP!” I look all around and finally spot its source. It’s a lone Mockingbird above us, flying in a circle and just chewing us out! I imagine it was protecting either a nest or possibly young offspring. Finally it landed –about 75 feet away and continued to chip at these intruders to his domain. Now Jackson is extreemely interested. Consider what we have here: An antagonistic bird, just 75 feet away. An 8-month, 50-pound highly excited dog, an 882-month, 185-pound highly worried man, a slack 50-foot rope –rapidly being taken up by Flash Gordon as he makes a B-line for this feathered creature! Will I be the yanker or the yankee?!!? This has never happened to me before! With only a second or two to spare, I held onto the loop of rope around my waist and leaned away from the charging Jackson as best I could.
WHOOMP! Jackson did an outside loop, the Mockingbird flew away (probably chuckling to itself), and, miraculously, I was still standing. I think this whole, impromptu exercise probably reinforced Jackson’s newfound realization that he cannot run freely without consequence.
So, TD3 came to an end. Jackson visited me for a few minutes at Loco Lane, had some water, and received a few little treats while getting just a little more training in the “sit” command.
1 comment:
I wish I would have known you when I was growing up! We had a springer spaniel (who was a rascal!) and tried to train him...never worked!! :) Oh well. He was a good dog besides the fact he never obeyed! I am glad you are able to participate in training Jackson. Hope all is going well. Love you
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