Dog training

Spent the morning at flyball, a dog relay sport (go over hurdles, grab tennis ball, come back, go fast). Strange that we've never gotten into it before, as the local team meets every Sunday right next door to us, but it's really more Molly's sport than it was Susie's. Janet was not a fan of flyball, as it seemed to bring out the barkiness in our otherwise quiet Susie Dog. And as she pointed out, having a barky German Shepherd would win us few friends with the neighbors.

Molly's needed a sport, though, so I've been taking her. And so far, she hasn't been barking too much more. She has been acting up somewhat since Janet left us. Truthfully, while I don't think I'm an awful handler, I'm not Janet. Somehow, Janet always was able to keep the mutt under control, usually without the need to look up from what she was doing. She had these eyes on the back of her head, and a quick growl was all that it took to bring the pup in from the porch (or other mischief making location) and return her to gnawing on her rubber bone, aka "The Doggy Gameboy" (yet another Janetism).

Of course, Janet spent a fair amount of time cultivating the illusion of omniscience. Both dogs spent their formative years learning that at any moment, Janet could appear in a puff of smoke, ready to dispense Justice. Basically, I'd watch them as they snuck into the kitchen or wherever, then relayed reports to Janet who'd yell at them while clearly out of the line of sight. Alternatively, she'd just lie in wait herself, then pounce on them from her office hidey hole. Barking cessation was taught by crating the pup, then going downstairs to the parking lot, where she'd hang out reading her usual mystery novel. One woof, and You Know Who would be there in a flash. You could just see the dog thinking "But...but....didn't you go to work?"

I'm doing the best that I can these days. Tough with a border collie-- I might exercise her more, but I think Janet was more mentally stimulating. Come to think of it, the dog is hardly alone in that assessment.