smart Taenzer!

One of the very first things Taenzer learned as a puppy was that if she gave me something she would get a treat and I would make a big fuss over her. This has expanded as she grew up, so she spontaneously brings me shoes and socks, and will go back to get the other one on cue. She can also select an object from several others if I point in the general direction and say "YES" when her nose gets near it. So this morning I was looking for the 2nd sock of a pair she had brought me (never did find it), and pulled about 10 toys out from under the couch. So I thought--I could teach Taenzer to put her toys away!

So I put all the toys in a pile, got a bowl of treats, and sat down beside the toy box. "Taenzie, get it!" and point at the toy pile. She picked one up ("Yes!"), "Taenzie, bring it here" (tapping on the box). She released, I handed over the treat. She actually hit the box about 50% but I thought that was good for a first try. My very smart girl!

Poor little Timber came in and wanted to help, but Taenzer gets cranky about that, so when we'd finished in the living room, I took some toys into the kitchen and scattered them around, put Taenzer on a down-stay, and had Timber bring me the toys. I've got to start working them in the same room--start with simple stuff, like one holds a downstay while the other sits up. Work them alternately, I guess, so they understand that they'll each get a turn. Then work up to one of them holds a downstay while the other one does something in motion, like fetching a toy tossed a short distance away. It would be nice (not to mention very handy) if I could work them simultaneously, without Taenzer getting all jealous and anxious ("Mom loves ME best--don't you, Mom?").

Anyhow, I'm pleased with both my smart babies.

Now, if I could only be as smart and figure out how the heck to put an RSS feed on this blog!