Saturday, March 6, 2010

Let's Go!

"Let's go!" is one of Alfie's favorite phrases.  He's always up for a challenge.

Alfie the guidedood in his superhero outfit.

A couple days ago we did some work on the stairs.  A typical puppy, he tends to rush the "up" stairs and has to really concentrate on the "down" ones.  These stairs are pretty steep too.


Alfie going down some steep stairs, head down in concentration
You oughta try having four legs on these stairs, it's no picnic!


Half way down he found something slimy to grab in his mouth.  I know, because I took it out (ewww...)

Innocent until proven guilty.  OK, I'm proven guilty...

One of the things the pups work on is walking in the correct position.  To guide, Alfie needs to be slightly ahead of me, hips about even with my leg --not "at heel" like you'd teach a pet dog.  I'm not telling how many pictures we got of him doing the wrong thing before we got this good one!  There was a reason:  it was very windy, and gusts kept catching his jacket and blowing it forward, irritating him to no end...he was kinda squirrely!

looking down from above, you can see me walking with Alfie slightly ahead
I can do this!  Just watch!


Proof of how windy it was:  look at his ears!

We've stopped; Alfie's sitting, and a gust of wind is blowing his ears straight out to the side!
I feel like Dumbo ready for takeoff...

Yesterday I was in a shop and we had to wait a minor eternity (in dog years anyway) at the register.  I wanted to get a promotional offer and the sales clerk had to look it up for me.  Believe me, just a few weeks ago Mr. Alf would've been growling and nudging me in impatience, like a bored little child.  But yesterday he was so patient, staying in a nice quiet sit the whole time.  What a good boy!


closeup of Alfie's tousled brown head; he's panting and you can see his pink tongue
I can be very patient when dog cookies are at stake!

5 comments:

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Good boy Alfie!

Those pictures are great, and I think you look wonderful with your ears in the air!

Duchess

Erin said...

Good job Alfie!!!! We're jealous that you are in short sleeves!!!

Becky Andrews said...

Good boy Alfie and yes I am longing for short sleeve weather.

Dexter said...

Wow! You are one of those most hard working doggies. So many things to learn.

Yuh, those guinea pigs were totally scary, but you have to be brave for you human.

Slobbers,
Mango

Lisa and pups said...

Oh, the ears are hilarious! And yay for being patient in line! That's hard for such a young guy! Great job on the stairs!