The other day, we had a little bit of spare time in between appointments so we took Donna to East Coast Park [map].
East Coast Park is always busy, particularly on weekends. We are a small island, so it is quite typically for our beach views to be bordered by tankers in the horizon.
Popped Donna in a short stretch that is clear of humans so that I can crop out the humans later. But decided to leave the photo as is. Children building sandcastles on the left. Beach volleyball game going on on the right.
Donna observes the beach soccer players.
And finally a spot of doggy parkour on the picnic table. As I was taking this picture, I have a fellow dog owner coming up and remarking how well trained Donna is.
You could say, I had it easy because Donna is a smart dog who learns fast. Or Donna isn’t a stubborn dog. Or we are just lucky we found Donna. Or it just is easier because Donna isn’t a distracted puppy.
I adopted Donna in January 2013. It was a conscious decision to adopt an adult dog who will be calmer and easier to manage than a puppy.
It is now September 2014. That is how long it took to get to this point with the Donna you see today. Given previous experience, it’s pretty safe to say that for us the positive reinforcement needs to be consistent and continuous with her. It is an on-going process for both human and dog.
Actually Donna isn’t even particularly well-trained since her best trick is Stay and we have nothing else very spectacular to show off beyond that. HAHA!
Susan C. Willett
Basic commands like Sit, Stay and Come are the best “tricks” as far as I’m concerned. Without them, you cannot teach anything else. So be proud. You do have a well-trained dog. So lucky you found each other.
Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Oz the Terrier
Stay is one of the best tricks to know! Great photos. Happy Sunday.
MyDogLikes
Her only trick may be stay, but it seems like she has it down! Excellent photos!! Happy BW Sunday!
Mary
Great shots. And Donna has come pretty far I would say. Great job.
Kyla
My best trick is “Eat”.
Tenacious Little Terrier
Stay is very useful! I taught Mr. N how to push a wagon which I’m pretty sure has no real life applications.
Emmadog
We behave well when we are in the mood, but when someone says how well behaved we are, that is our clue to start acting up!
Golden Woofs
You are good and all SMILES :-) Happy Sunday. Golden Woofs
Mel
I love all of these. Glad you decided not to crop out the people. Kind of cool to see all the activity around her. Donna has come such a long way. I remember when she was so scared and nervous. Now she looks like a confident and happy dog. She won the lottery when you adopted her. That happy face she has while sitting on the picnic table says it all. :)
Cascadian Nomads
I really like these distant Donna-watches shots. And the table too, of course!
HausofPug
Stay is a tricky thing to learn. Also it is a good trick to know for taking awesome photos like those!
Athena (@AthenaWiseKitty)
Great shots and looks like a nice place to live :)
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Lindsay
Great work with Donna! She appears well trained and calm in all of your photos. She also seems very comfortable and happy. As others have said, I think “Stay” is about the best trick a dog can learn!
2 Brown Dawgs
Brown dawgs would have gladly joined that soccer game. Donna is a good dog!