Training Up Cocoa

With the water running, it was time to beg (to no avail) that I would change my mind about bath time.

A little sad face

Mom and Pups’ Do It Yourself Dog Wash has steps that lead into the tub. Because everything is built up high, bath time is easy on the back. No leaning or bending over. (Notice that Cocoa is refusing to look up at the camera.)

No Cocoa Smiles right now.

And a warm, dry towel doesn’t make it any better. But things turn around quickly after she learned that a special treat was waiting for her at check out!

It has been a while since I posted on Training up Cocoa. So, I thought I would write something that is really very useful. I have a number of these little blankets around the house. They are Cocoa’s “place,” and when the temptation hits her to get out of control, I tell her to go to place and stay—a basic command she learned at Dog School 101.

“Go to place and settle” is really the command (that she somehow ignores, forgets, and dismisses at times). I write this with a little “tongue in cheek” because while she does go to “place,” she usually jumps off and begins to act like a monkey (again). But at least if I give the command, she will return (reluctantly) and sit down with lots of deep sighs and long breaths.

Within the first couple of classes, Cocoa had learned to go to place and stay until I called her to come. I have a “place” in almost every room—near the back door, in the den, in her “house” or crate, and on the backseat of the car. A woven rug can magically turn into “a place,” if necessary.

“Go to place,” means “Get on your spot and stay.” I’m happy to report that it works most of the time . . . Well, except when our neighbor Opal drops by for a visit. Then the wiggle worms set in and over excitement usually wins out as she bolts off of place and heads straight for Opal. When she does, all of us usually say in unison, “Go back to place!” Once she has calmed down, she is free to greet everyone.

Well, you get the picture. . . . sort of. “Good dog, Cocoa Joy! Good dog!”

I have to admit that I love Cocoa’s eyes. There are times when they are so soulful. I can tell her to “watch me,” and she does! “Watch” is the first command she learned at DS101. She knows when I say this, something is about to happen!! “Watch” comes before the words sit or stay or “Let’s go see the ducks!” It is the best command because it let’s me know whether or not she is “tuned-in” to me. She is in this picture—totally tuned in. (smile)

“Watch me!” works. Then it is followed by “good watch” (and sometimes an extra treat). When that happens, she is extra special tuned-in.

Recently, I tried to run Cocoa’s paws off at one of the battlefields at Kennesaw Mountain. I would run and hide behind a slope in the field, and the call Cocoa to “Come!” She would instantly try to find me. The trick was to let her hear me say, “Come!” This is something she learned in her basic training class and for some reason (treats as a reward), it just clicked with her.

Call her and she comes — fast . . . .

With those wonderful Cocker Spaniel ears flapping in the wind.

She lifts her head to make sure I’m staying put and then she turns up the speed.

She closes in for hugs, praises, and treats!

Good come, Cocoa Joy! Good come!