(no subject)

[willrememberthat]

[This evening, Clem is outside, a small puppy on the end of a pink leash beside her. It currently seems to be happier rolling around in the grass rather than listening to the little girl trying to get it to do a trick.]

Sit. Siiiiiit. See, like this. [She tries to push the puppy's rump down, but it thinks it's playtime and rolls around some more. It gets Clem to laugh.]

No, no... [Sigh.] Okay, maybe we'll play for a little bit. It's time for a break, anyway.

Comments

[dorkwonder]

This is Ace. Don't be fooled by his size, he might look like a tough guy, but underneath it all he's a big softie. [Pets Ace between his ears.]

And I'm Alvin.

[willrememberthat]

This is Copper. And I'm Clementine.

Can I pet him?

[dorkwonder]

Nice to meet you, Clementine. [He's heard her voice over the journal before and recognizes the name. Even though he's met other children in the castle, it's still disturbs him every time he sees a kid in this place.]

Sure. Ace is generally friendly, as long as you approach him slowly and hold out your hand, so he can sniff you. It's his way of getting a feel for you.

[willrememberthat]

Okay. Hi, Ace. Good boy.

[Clem does as instructed, slowly offering her hand and giving Ace a chance to check her out.]

[dorkwonder]

[Ace sniffs her hand several times, and then stares up at her. After a few seconds, he sits on the ground and his tail wags back and forth.]

There you go. He is primed and ready for as many pets as you want to give him.

[willrememberthat]

[He's just about Clem's size when he sits! She smiles and reaches over to give Ace a good petting, scratching his ears.

Copper, meanwhile, flops at Tim's feet to roll around. Love hiiiiim.]

He's so big.

[dorkwonder]

[Tim kneels down next to Copper, reaching out to give him some love in the form of a belly rub.]

He is. Ace has the run of the house and makes sure everyone is kept safe.

[willrememberthat]

He looks like a good guard dog.

[dorkwonder]

[Ace closes his eyes over, nuzzling Clem's hand.]

The person who first trained him was really good at it. Would you like some tips to help with Copper?

[willrememberthat]

Sure! I have books from the library but I'd like to learn more.

[dorkwonder]

One of the big things you want to do when training a dog, is not touch them when you ask them to not do something. They want to be touched by us in some shape or form, so even when you are pushing them away, they still see it as being rewarded for their behavior.

[willrememberthat]

So, no petting unless he does something good.

[dorkwonder]

Exactly. At least while you are trying to do train him. Another thing you have to do is scold him when he's misbehaving. I know it sounds mean, but with dogs, they look to someone to be their alpha. When they feel like they have a leader who will keep them in line, they feel safer.