His Third Degree

Brinkley now has THREE diplomas!  He just finished his Click-a-Trick class at PetSmart, and he learned so many fun tricks.  He now knows how to play dead, be shy, say his prayers, roll over (his least favorite), spin, wave, high five, shake, reverse, go around, jump over a hurdle and through a hoop, and crawl. 
He loved this class and was always excited to work on learning his new tricks.  All I have to say is, "You wanna work?" and he runs off looking for the clicker and treats.  He is such a smart dog and did really well with this class. 
He graduated on Sunday after passing several tests.  First was the crawling race, and he won both heats.  I have never seen him crawl so far or so fast!  Then he had to go through an obstacle course of different tricks/objects and he did really well.  He was the ONLY dog in the class to have a solid "play dead" by the last class, and he got to show off several times for everyone.  I know he will miss his doggy friends and all the attention, but we'll keep working on perfecting his tricks and learning lots of new ones!  I read the other day that the more a dog knows, the more easily he learns.

Congratulations, my little graduate!

What a Difference a Year Makes

I noticed some pictures on my screensaver slideshow today, and couldn't help but remember what a crazy little boy Brinkley was at 6 months old. 

In just over a year, we have gone from this . . .

to this!

From this . . .

 to this!

Wow!  What a difference a year makes!

He's smart! Maybe too smart...

Brinkley did extremely well in training class this week!  His 30-second sit stay was perfect.  Some of the other dogs were fidgeting and needed reminders to stay, but Brinkley sat perfectly still and watched me the entire time!  We also had to do a down stay, but it was different than the homework we've been doing, where we sat next to the dog while he stayed for 15 minutes while lying down.  In class, he had to lie down and stay while I walked in a circle around him.  He did not move once!  I kept repeating it while the trainer was working with a dog who wasn't getting it, and he did perfectly each time.  She also introduced heeling this week, but he did not seem to get that at all in class.  All the owners and dogs were supposed to walk in a circle around the room, introducing the idea of heeling.  I think he was too distracted to learn something new, but hopefully he will pick it up at home quickly.

He has been really itchy, so I gave him a bath tonight.  He loves the idea of getting in the water and drinking it, but he does not like the noise when I rinse him.  Well, he figured out how to get even with me tonight.  The large blue cup was floating in the tub, full of water, and he picked it up and poured the water all over me and the floor!  I am as wet as he is!

I am glad that he's a brilliant baby and is doing so well in training, but maybe he's a little too smart . . .