Well-trained dog. (It helps that she's old.)

As some of you may know, my family has a very highly trained dog.  This is amazing to me, especially given the fact that we have watched only a couple of short clips of Cesar Millan’s wonderful show, the Dog Whisperer.  As a result, virtually all of our dog’s training has been undertaken pursuant to our own individualized methods.

Here are some of the commands which I have found to be most successful:

1.  Lie Down!  (Works best when dog is already in prone position.)

2.  Stay!  (Ideally follows “Lie Down!”command above.)

3.  Roll Over!  (This should be combined with a hand gesture indicating that you are about to rub dog’s tummy.)

4.  Stretch!

5.  Yawn!

6.   Close eyes!  (Slowly, slowly, slowly….  Ah….)

7.  Doze!  (Sometimes this command is mistaken for the command “Laze!”  as many dogs, through no fault of their owners, have a difficult time distinguishing the different vowel sounds.)

With proper training, the above tricks can be performed by most dogs at any time of day.   Amazingly, some dogs will even adapt awkward, oversized, props for use in performing such tricks  (for example, a queen-sized bed.)

The commands set forth below are best given at mealtimes.  With the proper incentives (cheese works well), most dogs will soon learn to  respond even before the command is uttered:

1.  Beg!

2.  Whine!

3.  Whimper!

4.  Gobble!

5.  Yes, yes, lick your cute little doggy chops!

6.  Again!

Try any of the above commands, and, if you get the timing right, you’ll be amazed at how obedient even the most wayward dog can be, canine putty in your tummy-rubbing hands.

Lie Down!

(Sorry–this is reposting of an earlier drawing since I’m away from my normal technical devices this weekend.  Have a nice weekend!)

If you like elephants as well as dogs, check out 1 Mississippi by Karin Gustafson at Amazon.com or at link from ManicDDaily home page.