Useful Skills Only

I don't believe in teaching dogs tricks. Jack knows the basics, like sit and down and wait. His vocabulary includes important words like 'off', for when he is no longer welcome on some piece of furniture. He has also picked up some words that are important to him, like 'snackie' and 'dinner' and 'breakfast'.

Now he is learning a new command; 'close the door'. It isn't a trick, it's a social skill. We keep the bedroom door shut, but not latched. If it is latched Sneakers the cat will scratch the carpet when she wants in, and we don't want that. A few inches to accommodate a slim cat body is not a big deal, so we just let her open the door for herself.

Then there's Jack. He learned early on that the door might be there so he doesn't try to barrel on through. He knows the door can be opened from either side with his agile snout. He also likes the door wide open.

It took a while, but he now has me trained to place a line of snacks across the floor where he gets them one at a time as the door shuts. He expects me to do it every time he opens the door, but I'm holding out.