~~~ At around 8 months of age, I had Charlie outside in the driveway on a show lead (Resco, whatever strength is recommended for large breeds). It was starting to fray a little in one spot, but was in otherwise good condition. One of the neighbors was holding their cat and came over to say hello. The kitty spooked and took off towards their house -- Charlie snapped his lead and followed! Obviously he wasn't going to come back if I called him, but I did shout 'Leave it!', not that it helped. Fortunately the cat's house is behind mine, therefore farther from the street... I followed in hot pursuit, noticing that the trampling had stopped just around the corner of the house -- I rounded the corner and saw Charlie (from behind) bent over the cat with mouth on - or close to - her head! I called him to me in an urgent, but not threatening voice... and he turned with a happy face and trotted back to me without a backward glance, all the way home insisting 'we should do that again sometime!' ~~~ About a week later... same leash, but tight knots covering the frayed/snapped section... I was walking Charlie through the park. We both saw the geese about 100 yds away, I told him to leave them alone and we continued along the path parallel to them. After about 5 seconds, Charlie just couldn't take it anymore and jumped up on his back legs (not pulling on the leash). This startled the geese and the whole flock took off in the opposite direction into the pond, which was waaayyyy to much for Charlie and *snap* went the lead, and *splash* went Charlie (actually a very nice dive off the edge of the bank). Now I have half a lead and my Poodle is 150 yds + away and swimming after geese towards the middle of the small lake! As I ran towards the water's edge, I shouted 'Charlie, come!' in a similar voice to before, but louder to make up for the distance -- and he actually made a little circle, swam back to the bank and climbed out! His hair flopped in his face covering his eyes and he just stood where he was, shaking himself off and turning his head presumably trying to figure out where I was. I was still about 25 yds off, and called him again... without seeing much, he turned in my direction and followed my voice as we each closed the difference. ~~~ One time in our obedience class I left Charlie on the long down and walked across the room, turning to face him. We were practicing a 3 minute stay, but a bunch of dogs had broken and been placed back in position -- Charlie wanted to get in on the action, but knew better than to break a stay, and came up with his own trick... he 'levitated' about 6", then landed as if nothing had happened! Everyone laughed so hard -- the instructor couldn't believe she had just seen air clear through to the other side!! ~~~ When Charlie was about 18 months old I had him with me at work, grooming dogs at NEADS. I was getting ready to go home and had the tack box with my equipment on the floor by the door. Charlie was investigating a large Vari kennel in the lobby, and when I called him he brought a white fleecy toy that he had found. I told him to 'put it back' - a command he knew meant to return the item to the place he had found it. He gave me a pitiful look, but when I insisted he walked slowly back to the crate and stepped his front half in to place the toy at the back. I figured he must have taken the command harsher than I had meant -- as he backed-out he refused to look at me, turning in the opposite direction and slinking away... Just out of curiosity I peeked in the crate to see where he had left the toy -- but it had disappeared! I turned around to see what Charlie was up to, and there he was happily bouncing around with the toy in his mouth!!! Such a trickster! ~~~ Charlie has a habit of 1) placing items in bags, 2) taking items out of bags, and 3) placing items in specific locations. ~~~ (img of UKC gaiting synch.) At our first UKC show Charlie's gait was way off. I couldn't tell what was wrong, but eventually decided it was probably the combination of: our first outdoor show of the year (lumpy grass), first UKC show (I was a bit nervous), very hot and sunny. Later, as I was going through pictures my Dad took, I noticed that his legs were lined-up to match mine -- this was especially noticeable because the lighting made my pants look almost the same shade as his legs! ~~~ One of Charlie's Lab friends was rolling around on his back playing with Charlie. They started to get out of hand and I told Charlie to 'settle' - so he rolled onto his back and the two of them kept right on playing!
Kitty was unharmed other than a bit of slobber and has since learned that if she holds her ground he won't touch her.
That was an amazing recall, not to mention his young age! And I'd only had him for a couple of months!!
I missed my yo-yo night out because I had to get the muck and goose poop off him, not a trade I enjoyed.
When I told him again that he really did need to put it back he carefully placed it on top of my tack box, assuring me that that's where he'd found it and that we'd be taking it home tonight, whether I liked it or not.
Worst of each:
1) New juicy marrow bone in Dad's bag of work-papers
2) Lunch/'Service Dog' cape out of my backpack - fortunately I've noticed before leaving for school, so far...
3) Everyone knows that when it comes to toy storage only the furthest left cushion of the couch is suitable -- except for the 'security-toys', which are to always be in use or stuffed into my backpack to accompany wherever we shall go
When I started college, 'synchronization' was one of the main components of dog training that I learned - Charlie was unsure, so he did what I was doing!
Charlie now plays that way with his other Labby friend as well.