Who Does Your Dog Listen To?

In the late afternoon of Memorial Day, Ted and I took Toby to the Arboretum for an off-leash walk. We were dismayed to see a number of cars in the parking lot. We expected people to be off doing Memorial Day barbecues or at the beach. However we unloaded Toby, leash, poop bag, and a handful of training treats, crossed the street, and entered the serene urban woodland. 

Here, Toby!

Though we only encountered a few people, each time we heard voices approaching I called Toby to me and leashed him until they were past us. As we approached the area of Starr Creek frequented by a pair of mallards, I called and leashed him again, while telling Ted about the last time Toby and I were there. (This is the spot where Toby famously swam the creek after the ducks but refused to swim back and waited for Ted to rescue him).  It's been hot lately, and the creek is quite low now. Toby took off  like a shot, leaped the creek, and began to chase the ducks who not surprisingly took flight, squawking angrily. I called, "Toby, come, come, come!", pretending to have a carefree, happy voice. To my delight, Toby wheeled about mid-run, leaped the creek again, and careened to a sit at my feet.

View of Starr Creek

Later that evening Ted said, "You know, he listens to you a lot better than he does to me." 
"Well that's not surprising. I'm the one who took him to all those classes!" I snapped back. 

Ducks have been here lately...

  

It's true, Ted always seems to come home from the Arboretum with a tale of mischief to tell. And it's also true that I rarely have any problems with Toby's recall. But I think until Monday afternoon Ted assumed that because Toby has given his heart to Ted, he'll automatically do whatever he asks. And that is the kind of thinking that gets so many dogs into trouble. Love and obedience simply do not equate. Even the most affectionate dogs require training and lots of practice at obeying commands.

Best buddies at play.

Toby is 3 years old. He's been to basic obedience twice, and advanced obedience once. He's been to a CGC class and a Therapy Dog prep class. He's taken Beginning Rally and just completed Intro to Canine Sports. And in every case I have been his trainer.

Toby (age 1) practices his "sit".

Ted's jaw dropped at my reply. "Touché. Wow. I guess that makes sense." I confess to feeling just a little bit smug at his reaction. Maybe next time he'll come to class with Toby and me?!

In all seriousness though, it's important that we dog lovers keep spreading the word about the importance of training. It can be the difference between a well-loved pet and a banished or discarded animal leading a life of lonely misery. No dog deserves that. 

Who does your dog listen to? When the answer is "no one", it's time for an obedience class.