![\"Dash](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/2013-08-07-09.46.59-1-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Dash the Wonder Dog in a quieter moment<\/p><\/div>\n
Over the past three months we have been doing LOTS of homework around our house. \u00a0Studying, practicing, shouting. Lots of shouting. \u00a0Let’s just say the atmosphere has been a little tense. \u00a0As much as we rehearsed, success was infrequent and attention spans were non-existent. \u00a0But finally, last Saturday, our big day arrived – Dash the Wonder Dog was tested for his Canine Good Citizen<\/strong> designation. \u00a0I swear I haven’t been as nervous about a test since I took the SAT. \u00a0Actually, I wasn’t that nervous about the SAT since I had pulled an all-nighter the night before and could barely fill in the circles on the test paper (which probably goes a long way toward explaining why I didn’t get into a better college). \u00a0But this day was Dash’s big day and nervous energy prevailed. We made sure he had a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast. \u00a0“They” say it is the most important meal of the day and I wasn’t about to question whether that also pertains to our canine friends. \u00a0We made sure he had “done his business” beforehand as I was quite certain that pooping unexpectedly in public was not part of the test. \u00a0At the appointed hour, we walked into the classroom at Pet Smart<\/strong> where Dash immediately lost control and jumped up on the instructor. \u00a0It was going to be a long day.<\/p>\n The first part of the test was done in the classroom where the conditions were somewhat controllable. \u00a0Dash sensed my uncertainty and shot me a look conveying “Chill, Mom, I got this”. I wasn’t so sure. None of our practice sessions indicated anything close to success. But there was no delaying the test. The first few requirements were child’s play – “sit”, “down”, “stay”. \u00a0Basically the canine equivalent of kindergarten. \u00a0But then it got more serious – he had to sit and stay while I walked 15 feet away and then come to me on command. My palms were moist, my mouth was dry and Dash was distracted by a rather comely Poodle walking past the window. I took a deep breath and called him to me. \u00a0Just as Dash passed the mid-point the devious instructor placed an open bag of peanut butter treats between him and me. \u00a0Jeez – that’s like asking me to pass by a piece of Costco’s chocolate cake<\/strong> without at least sticking my finger in the frosting. \u00a0Luckily, as it turns out, Dash the Wonder Dog has a lot more self-discipline than I do. \u00a0He ran right over to me, hardly giving a faretheewell <\/em>to the treats. \u00a0I’ve never been prouder in my life. \u00a0After two more “inside” tasks, we ventured out into the aisles of the Pet Smart store. \u00a0On a Saturday Adoption Day. \u00a0I’ve seen less chaos at an Under Six soccer game.<\/p>\n His Senior Portrait<\/p><\/div>\n We began by testing whether Dash could pass another dog and owner as they walked by on our left side. \u00a0Fortunately, just as we were passing the other dog and his master, Dash became mesmerized by some goop of unknown origin on the right side of the floor. \u00a0I was momentarily concerned about the make-up of this “goop” since Dash was proceeding to ingest it, but decided to just “take the win” when the instructor said he had passed the test. \u00a0Apparently, he can wreak havoc as long as it isn’t toward the other dog or owner. \u00a0Good to know. \u00a0The next task was to walk 20 feet through a crowd in a “heel” position and then return to the starting point without breaking stride. \u00a0The instructor gathered five strangers to act as the crowd. \u00a0Frankly, I think some of them looked a little too<\/em> strange. \u00a0I peered at them assiduously, certain that some of them were planted by the instructor with beef liver treats<\/strong> in their pockets. \u00a0But again – much to my amazement – Dash walked through the group as if he had better places to go and other people to see. \u00a0I was beginning to think someone had drugged him. \u00a0This was not the dog that I had been training at home. \u00a0Our last task entailed Dash going up to a stranger with me and sitting quietly while I conversed. \u00a0He behaved like a champ. \u00a0I think all the time I spend talking with my friends on the phone has provided him with a tin ear where I’m concerned. \u00a0I can almost see him thinking “blah, blah, blah – does she ever shut up?” \u00a0No matter…after ten tests were completed Dash had officially become a good citizen. \u00a0We all cheered, donned funny hats, and ate peanut butter treats.<\/p>\n Dash doing what he does best.<\/p><\/div>\n But now here we are, back in the real world. \u00a0Every day I work with him a bit, trying to ensure that he doesn’t forget any of the valuable lessons he has learned. \u00a0Unfortunately, I’m not sure retention is his strong suit. \u00a0As soon as I take him outside and ask him to heel he assumes the attitude of a teenager and pulls me in the opposite direction. \u00a0I ask him to sit when we reach the corner and he is suddenly rendered deaf. \u00a0I am thinking that I would like to have him certified as a therapy dog<\/strong> since he is so gentle and loving by nature. \u00a0But at this point, I think his forte is the “sleep” command. \u00a0He has that down pat, especially when he’s on our bed. \u00a0Now all I need to do is find someone who needs a sleeping therapy dog. \u00a0Who snores. \u00a0Oh well, we’re proud of him anyway and the framed\u00a0certificate\u00a0looks great on the wall next to the college diplomas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Suzanne Sparrow Watson Over the past three months we have been doing LOTS of homework around our house. \u00a0Studying, practicing, shouting. Lots of shouting. \u00a0Let’s just say the atmosphere has been a little tense. \u00a0As much as we rehearsed, … read more<\/a><\/a>