Sneaky Girl!

As I've probably said before, Taenzer is of the opinion that bringing me things is Her Job. She was a mouthy little puppy, so I started working with her early, teaching her that if she brought me something instead of taking it off somewhere to chew on it, she would get a treat. As she got a little older, I taught her to bring me things I actually wanted, on cue. So now if I drop something or want my houseshoes or something, I ask her--it's Her Job.

But I've taught Timber a retrieve, too, because most dogs enjoy picking things up and carrying them. His retrieve isn't as clean as hers is--he tends to pick things up and shake them--but he will pick something up if requested and deliver it to hand (rather than dropping it at my feet)--provided Taenzer's not in the room. It's Her Job, after all.

So this morning as I was getting ready to go to work, I dropped my gloves in the kitchen. Taenzer was playing Diva on the Divan, lying on the couch in the living room and looking out the windows, and Timber was in the kitchen with me, waiting for his morning treat of duck jerky, so I asked Timber to pick up the gloves for me. Which he did, giving each one a shake but then putting it in my hand. Good Boy!

I turned to get a cookie for him out of the cookie jar. Now, I trained Stella and Taenzer to think of heel position as their default--if your dog is always on your left, you always know where your dog is and no one gets stepped on!--so I took the cookie in my left hand and lowered it for him to get while I put the lid back on with my right hand. Just as I feel the cooking leaving my hand, I realize I'm looking at Timber sitting off to my right. That's right--sneaky Ms. Taenzer had tiptoed in and rewarded herself!

Sneaky girl!

So I got another cookie for Timber (2, actually), and asked Taenzer to get me my shoes, and then hugged them both. They're just so darn cute!