Suki: Training and playtime updates

We've been working with Suki on basic commands and she picks things up very quickly. She knows sit, stay and shake now, but the "lay" command has been difficult. Even on soft cushy carpet the best we can get is a crouch. Frodo is usually taking part in the training too, and while I am working on lay with Suki he will walk in front of her lay down and look up at me expecting a treat. When it isn't forthcoming he will roll over, and then sit up and put his paw up for a high five, licking his lips and looking hopefully at the treat. In the meantime Suki has gotten so excited that she is jumping up and down in place. Oh well. She knows shake now though! I suppose it would be less distracting to have Frodo elsewhere, but if I put him up in the bedroom he will just whimper and make me feel guilty.

It was nice (i.e. dry) on Sunday so they were outside with me while I was weeding the back yard. Frodo tends to forget that Suki annoys him when they are outside and will actually initiate games of chase by walking up to her with a pinecone in his mouth and then go into a crouch, ready for the chase. Around and around they go, beauty bark flying, soaring off the rock wall, leaping onto (and off of) the deck without using the stairs. It is hard to watch it without laughing.

Finally Frodo found a nice fresh, juicy stick and boy did Suki want it. She tried staring him down, pouncing on him, then staring and whining, and finally after about 15 minutes he let her have a quick chew on the end that he wasn't using. The photos below show her slow progress.


Staring


Pouncing


Begging


Sharing! (for a few seconds at least)