At School

I go to the Barking Mad Dog Training School in Broom, Bedfordshire, every Wednesday afternoon. The Head Mistress is Lesley and my teacher is Kelly. She's very nice because she always has a happy sounding voice when I do things right.

Class begins with a short obedience session. This is my least favourite part of lessons because I'd much rather talk to my class mates when I walk past them than have to keep looking at Mum. (Well I haven't seen them for a week so what'd you expect?). Also, when you're this short the smells on the ground are so attractive. Don't tell Mum but I pretend I don't understand "heel" so that she gives me more treats to make me walk properly beside her (hee hee).

The next session is scent work. I like this because I can sniff out a toy (which Mum has rubbed with cheese but I mustn't tell teacher, she says) hidden under any cone or dish. And it's no good her hiding either because that black bag she has tied around her waist sends out a particularly cheesy/liver cakey smell for miles around (lovely!)

The next session is a bit of dog/owner bonding i.e. learn a trick or retrieve something. Mum has taught me a few tricks recently so the lesson before Halloween, teacher said we had to do "Trick or treat". Mum throws me a piece of biscuit and I have to catch it, but if I drop it I have to do a trick. Drop a biscuit...not a chance!

We then all have a short rest and a drink before the last session which is agility.

Although I'm not allowed to use some of the equipment until I'm older apparently, I can't help getting excited when I can go over the little jumps. And I have no fear of surfaces as I happily run up and along the dog planks and dart through the tunnel. But Mum, I do wish you would let me off the lead, or at least KEEP UP!

Here are some photos of my class mates, Robbie and Bailey...

and Poppy and Tia.

Robbie and I take a bit of a break. When you're not looking we'll have a bit of a natter.