Mag’s first day of school was last night. It was no surprise that he was the tallest student….and heaviest student…and the class bully(as he sorta flipped his lid at a younger student when he walked by). Oops.
Magnum is not mannered with visitors and chickens…oh, and that one rabbit(rip), hence the enrollment into school. His teacher assures us he will be transformed with a little hard work and effort. He went as far as to say, on command, Magnum will stand, like an angel, and let strangers pet him and love on him…..hmmm….I wonder who that first *stranger* will be? After a three hour class, Mag has three three minute lessons a day as homework for the next week. I am already seeing great progress this morning!
This afternoon the children will start taking turns working him and we even hope to have Gracie controlling this 110lb dog by next Tuesday. If you know Gracie personally, you know there is a pretty good chance she can accomplish this! (We think she is a leader personality)
Mag will be taking the 8 wk Basic Obedience Course from Cedarwood Canine School and hopefully we will take the Off –Leash Course in the next year. Magnum has the potential of being a great family dog, but controlling this beast is now our number one priority.
I am still haunted by our close encounter with the luring this summer.
He is intensively tuned into our children, playing a sheepdog roll, watching their every move from a distance and there in a heartbeat if they call. He has even pulled one of the children down, gently, from climbing up an unstable woodpile. Then there are the times the children will hold Mag, then have another child run and hide under a blanket or in a cabinet somewhere far off. When he is released and told to “Find ___” he will quickly and efficiently find that child and pull the blanket off, it is so fun to watch him with the kids.
4 comments:
Wish you would have told me. I love Cedarwoods and would have enrolled our furry beast in the class too.
I have no doubt you will have a wonderful dog. I was amazed at how well he acted for Jacob. I was worried when he open the crate to feed him. If he was truly aggressive that would have been his moment to do something, but was very well behaved. I even came home and told Jeff that I think he will make an amazing pet. Just remember to let go of your nervous energy or he will cling to it too.
Thanks for the encouragement Ruth. I needed to hear that. Missed you in church this morning, praying you get better soon. ;)
Do you think Cedarwoods has a class that could reform a goose? Ok, aside from Culinary 101.
Maybe Magnum's first stranger should be Plymouth the Goose.
I sure enjoyed seeing you and the boys, sorry the feathered security system was not as pleasant.
Post a Comment