She didn’t start out understanding fetch, but now that she has figured out the game, she is obsessed. This is her favorite ball. She has a larger version that is for outside fetching. She will chase other balls, but this one out ranks all contenders.

We started out with ball chase. I had four or five tennis balls and she would chase one, and as she started to head back, I would throw another, until she was dropping the ball near me before I threw the next one. Then she discovered the blue ball had more use than just a chew toy. We are now working on getting her to place the ball in my hand. She completely understands when I point at the ball and open my hand, which makes it fun!

You can’t really tell from the photo above, but my sweet boy Griffin’s wonderfully scruffy beard is gone. The culprit is sitting on the left of the photo. Turns out big brothers make the best chew toys. And he not only tolerates it, he loves playing with her. I hope as she progresses through puppyhood, that the need to strip hair diminishes and he gets his beard back. But it explains her hair balls (though I am still maintaining she is part feline).

Griffin actually let the puppy lay next to him in the car. She has truly won him over!

My strategy for training is to teach “sit”, “down”, then “roll over”, because then it is easier to wipe the mud off the dog’s feet. (Note, I am not a trainer, nor am I advocating any philosophy of training; muddy foot prints are just irritating.)

My sister shared the idea of putting treats in a muffin tin and the putting balls on top as a brain game for dogs, so I had to try it!

The first time I put it out for Missy (with bits of hot dog in the cups), it was a wonderful challenge for the puppy, and she spent a good 15 minutes rooting out the balls to get the treats (not grabbing the balls and removing them, which was my prediction). It was great for keeping her occupied without running and jumping since she just had surgery.

The next time, it took 15 seconds. Smart little thing.

Izzy the cat just complained loudly that the puppy got something she didn’t until I gave her a bit of hot dog too. Who has trained who?