Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese proverb
I Monkey here.
Well, I finally pushed Mama to the end of her rope with my monkey-shenanigans, and she retaliated by signing me up for Puppy School.
Huh.
We got there early so I could check out the classroom.
Puppy School? I had no idea there even was such a thing!
But there is, and now I’m a scholar. Or a student. Or something besides an uneducated puppy.
When Mama got me, I was sick for my first whole year of life (going from both ends, as Mama would say), so she didn’t get to socialize me or train me much. She had her hands full with cleanup, heh heh.
And while she’s tried to train me herself, I haven’t been exactly cooperative. Not that I’m stupid or anything (quite the contrary, Mama thinks), but I do have a bit of a stubborn streak.
Thus, Puppy School.
I was super-excited about my first class. I’m one of three students (a cattle dog and a cocker spaniel-mix are my classmates). We worked on three commands — Focus, Touch, and Sit — and while Mama is reserving judgment over whether this will be a lesson in futility (her expression, not mine), I’ve already decided I love it!
My teacher is great — young, encouraging, and very liberal with the treats. Good soft stuff, too, not those crunchy things Mama doles out. Why, I’ll jump through hoops as long as the cookies keep flowing!
And everybody bragged on how pretty I am, how well-behaved, and how smart, too. They’ve got good taste, y’know?
My teacher gave all the moms (I guess dads don’t do Puppy School or something) tote bags filled with goodies (coupons, dog treats, and so forth). She also gave out a little booklet so the moms can review during the week what we’ve learned.
Mama, of course, has glanced ahead to see what’s coming up on the agenda and next week, we’ll be working on leash-training. I can’t wait to start zooming on my leash and see what Teacher has to say about that.
Heh Heh.
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Hey Monkey … good luck training Mom. After all, she’s the stubborn one.
Mr. Frank, you are sooo right about Mama being stubborn. But she’d be the first to tell you, if not for her stubbornness, I Monkey would have been turned over to the rescue people a long time ago!
Monkey, this made me laugh!
“My teacher is great — young, encouraging, and very liberal with the treats. Good soft stuff, too, not those crunchy things Mama doles out. Why, I’ll jump through hoops as long as the cookies keep flowing!”
And this…
“And everybody bragged on how pretty I am, how well-behaved, and how smart, too. They’ve got good taste, y’know?”
That comes as no surprise to me because I’ve been saying that since day one – just how cute and handsome you are!
I’m sure you’re going to ace all your classes, sir! Be sure to share your graduating diploma on your next post, so we can all see it.
Wishing you and Mama a super great weekend! X
Thank you, Mr. Ron. I Monkey love good treats and have high hopes that Teacher can convince Mama of the importance of GOOD treats. I mean, really, why should I jump through hoops for nasty old, crunchy treats, when I can have good ones?!?
Diploma? What’s that? Neither Mama nor Teacher has said a thing about me getting anything when my schooling is finished. Hmm, I’ll check on this and get back to you. Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend!
This is WONDERFUL, Monkey! Katie loved achool, mostly for the treats and cause everybody told her how smart and beautiful she was. Penny lived school too, mostly to meet all the other puppies. And treats. You’re going to have soooo much fun!
Thank you, Miss Dawn. I Monkey know that St. Dallas never went to Puppy School, so I feel pretty special. Of course, Mama would insist that’s because he didn’t need school since he was so perfect. Hmph, I Monkey am perfectly disgusted about that!
My mama told me that there was a post for me, Yorkie, from Monkey and we are all ears! What a wonderful school your mama found!!
Mama is curious about Focus, Touch and Sit. Though she knows Sit, I don’t do that on command because there is no reason for it to me, Yorkie. Mama gave up on Sit. But what is this Focus and Touch?
I didn’t get to go to puppy school, but my older housemate doggo who’s over the rainbow did and he mastered just like you will Monkey! Got his photo with the cap and certificate to prove it.
Mama says we would have benefited for me to become more social with other doggos. And now she is wondering if puppy school would allow me at 70 and her in old age to join them to learn social skills. She thinks it would be a prerequisite to Therapy Training School. Old doggos can learn new tricks because mama taught me to swim in the bath tub this summer.
You got this, Monkey!!!
Hi Yorkie! You swim in a bathtub? I Monkey am totally impressed! I’ve never been in water. Mama thinks, with all my fur, I’d probably sink straight to the bottom.
Focus is where the dog is paying complete attention to the mom before he gets a treat. Touch is when the dog knows the treat is in the mom’s closed fist, puts his nose to the hand, and gets the treat. Mama says all my training will build on these “easy” lessons. We will see. Thanks for the encouragement!
Oh Monkey your Mama might be correct about all your gorgeous fur. Yorkies are not water dogs and I fear water! I think I will drown in my tiny water bowl. But with all the hurricanes Mama decided it was important that I learn to swim and not do the dog-paddle. Today I got more swim practice and a bath.
My Mama will start practicing Touch with me now that I know what it is. Mama remembers doing that with our old doggo roommate.
Can’t wait to hear your next puppy lesson!
I Monkey am getting a bath next week, in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast. But no swimmies for me — has your mama checked into a dog float device, kind of like those water wings the kiddos use? That way, you’d float and not sink!
My mama bought the smallest ever made and it was still much too big! I’m tiny almost 5 pounds, but mind you a ferocious tiny toy Yorkie!
I’m happy to hear that you’re excited to be in school, Monkey! The only time I tried taking a dog to school I seem to remember we flunked out. I bet you’ll be at the head of your class! Keep us posted on your lessons and progress!
Thank you, Miss Kelly. I Monkey am the only dog Mama has put in Puppy School. She blames my misbehavior on being a Pandemic Puppy, but I’ve tried to tell her, it’s just me being a monkey-dog!!
It sounds as though you’re one of those who likes school, Monkey. Your treats sound pretty good; we got graham crackers and frosting. They were ok, but I’ll bet you like yours more. Just remember — what you do at school is supposed to be what you do at home, too. Practice will make pretty good, if not perfect!
Thank you, Miss Linda. I think I’d like graham crackers and frosting, too! Yes, Mama is supposed to practice what we learned with me during the week so I won’t forget. In fact, she did last night, and she gave me an “A”!! I wonder if we’re going to learn three new things every week? If so, when Puppy School finishes, why, I’ll be ready for Mensa!!
Yay, glad school has been fun so far and you become a top student! Discipline is a good thing. 🙂
Well, Miss Eliza, I Monkey am not so sure about the discipline thing, but I do like cookies! And Mama seems to think I need to be educated, so there we are.
I’m so glad you like your school, Monkey. It is important for you to have fun while you learn.
Thank you, Mr. John. Yes, I Monkey am enjoying my classes. It’s like a cookie free-for-all!
Ha ha ha
Good luck with school, Monkey. I’m glad it’s fun for you. I bet you’ll be one of the top students. 🙂
Aw, thanks, Miss Robin. Mama has been practicing during the week with me, and she says I’m learning very well. I guess maybe she’ll keep me, heh heh!
Congratulations, Monkey! It’s never too late to get a good education. Sounds like your mom found you a great school and you will excel in your classes. With better treats in the picture the possibilities are endless. 🙂
Endless possibilities? Why, Miss Barbara, that sounds wonderful! I Monkey am looking forward to showing those other pups and their moms how much I’ve retained from our first class. The hard part is having to go to school at night, when I’d rather be napping!
You’ll be fine in school, Monkey! You’re already done better than one of our dogs….Daisy had to stay after on her very first day of school!
Oh, dear, Miss Ann. Was Daisy in trouble?? I Monkey don’t want to be in trouble (and I’m sure Mama would be mortified!) There’s a dog virus making the rounds (Mama read about it on the Interwebs), and I’m going to try keeping my distance so I won’t catch it!
This was hilarious! So fun to see the world through Monkey’s eyes. Puppy School sounds entertaining. Sign me up just I can enjoy watching the antics of our favorite four-legged friends.
Thank you, Miss Pat. I Monkey am glad it put a smile on your face. You ought to hear the noise when all the moms are punching their clickers at once, and all us pups are focusing, touching, and sitting!!
Hehe, I’m so glad you’re enjoying Puppy School, Monkey, but don’t let them train out all your naughtiness! Keep some to surprise your Mama with when she’s least expecting it! And keep enjoying those treats. 😀
Oh, Miss FF, Teacher and Mama have their hands full with me! I have yet to bring out my zoomies during class, but just you wait. Mama will be mortified, and Teacher will just say how cute I am and fork over another treat. Mama says I’m going to have to go on a diet when my lessons are completed, heh heh!!
Goodness me. Hope the homework is minimal and you’re a natural at learning, Monkey. Happy Thanksgiving!
Miss Audrey, I Monkey have learned that practice — with cookies, of course — is all the homework Teacher gives. How cool is that, being rewarded for learning? Mama says it’s like the ice cream sundaes little Domer earned for learning his multiplication tables. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Good luck with your school and training Monkey. I bet you’ll do well and ace your class. 😊😊
Thank you, Miss Lyn. I Monkey do hope I can ace my lessons. Every so often, Mama points out a well-behaved dog to me, and they can be most impressive.
What a positive and uplifting article! It’s great to see how excited the author is about their Puppy School experience. Learning new commands and receiving compliments must feel wonderful. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Mr. Stephen. I Monkey do feel wonderful with all the praise coming from every corner of Puppy School. Oh, and the treats don’t hurt either, heh heh!