Finally!  We found some time between snow storms to train a dog! Tonight we worked on Gracie's excitement when someone comes to the door, which results in her jumping. By teaching her to go to a particular spot (a small throw rug) on command, she would sit or lie there calmly as a person entered the home. The ultimate goal will be for her to do it automatically when she hears the doorbell or a knock on the door.

“Sometimes you're sure dogs have some secret, superior intelligence, and other times you know they're only their simple, goofy selves.” 
― Deb Caletti, The Six Rules of Maybe

Sticking with the President's Day theme today...

“You want a friend in this city? [Washington, DC.]  Get a dog!”  
― Harry S. Truman

“I don’t understand people who don’t touch their pets. Their cat or dog is called a pet for a reason.
” 
― Jarod Kintz

“You'd help if you could, wouldn't you, boy?" I said. "It's no wonder they call you man's best friend. Faithful and loyal and true, you share in our sorrows and rejoice with us in our triumphs, the truest friend we ever have known, a better friend than we deserve. You have thrown in your lot with us, through thick and thin, on battlefield and hearthrug, refusing to leave your master even when death and destruction lie all around. Ah, noble dog, you are the furry mirror in which we see our better selves reflected, man as he could be, unstained by war or ambition, unspoilt by-” 
― Connie Willis, To Say Nothing of the Dog

Today we worked on Taylor's coprophagia (poop eating) problem as well as more recall practice. We actually had much success turning her attention away from poop, but mulch still is very attractive to her. But still making progress, which is the name of the game.

After a holiday break we were back to work with Murphy. He likes to be under foot while his owner works in the kitchen. This was an easy fix by bringing his bed into the kitchen. Without even being told he plopped down in his bed and just watched as his owner did her kitchen  chores. We also worked on his jumping and other excitement-related issues.