Linda, from Puppy Love/Love Cats, visited Sinatra this morning and took him on a nice, long walk. Via text message, Linda told me, “Sinatra was such a dream! He got a bit nervous at some construction that we passed, but otherwise, what a love!”
I visited later. We didn’t go for a walk since he had such a nice one earlier in the day. Instead, we worked obedience in the lobby and just had fun. He was playful today and tried to climb in my lap every chance he got. Mostly, we worked sit, down and come. He was great and really responsive. He has no concept of stay yet, but we’re working on it. Also, as previously noted, Sinatra stuggles to stay in a sit. We worked him on an area with lots of traction today, which helped, but did not resolve the issue completely. Sometimes he really tries to hold on, but just can’t do it. He rarely sits straight with his feet under him, but when he does, he’s better able to maintain position. Anyway, Emily said he might actually need to work his core. Ha! We’re going to get right on it, but it wasn’t something that had ever occurred to me. So, little Sinatra’s going to learn how to beg/sit pretty (whatever you call it). Good thing he’s getting interested in food.
No dog issues today, but the lobby was quiet. Sinatra was happy to play with Daniel when he got to Bark Avenue and worked beautifully for him (which he really only seems to do for people he trusts). At one point though, Daniel took off his hat and was absentmindedly swatting it in his hand or against a box (I don’t recall which). That freaked Sinatra out. He slowly moved away from the hat and behind my legs. Daniel and I showed him the hat and gave him treats, put treats on the hat and let him eat them off, and finally asked him to target the hat (which he kind of did). We treated him and Daniel put his hat back on. That was his scary item of the day. We’re always learning with him.
We also tried to work on his “man” skills, but he didn’t demonstrate any reticence about any guys at Bark Avenue today. He was happy to see everyone who came in and, in typical pit bull fashion, clearly figured everyone who entered the lobby did so just to say hello to him. He’s such a little ham.
Daniel let me put him away. We walked past the small dog xpen (very closely, but there’s no other choice), where at least three small dogs read us the riot act. Sinatra didn’t even look or care. He was too busy prancing with me back to his run. He went right into his little temporary home (complete with a nice raised bed, blanket and a few toys) and I gave him a treat.
I’m hoping to visit tomorrow and celebrate his first week (in a long time) as a free dog! It’s a busy day though, so my fingers are crossed. And Louie and I are taking our darling dogs camping over the Memorial Day weekend. I might go through Sinatra withdrawal.
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