The DOOM Spaniels

Gwyn demonstrates an extremely useful trick: "Show" (let me see what's in your mouth). We practice a lot so the good experiences ("Gwyn can have") overwhelm the very rare occasions when I need them to "swap" (trade what they have for a treat). Mostly, they get delighted praise and reassurance for "show," and if they seem to want it, playing tug or keep-away.

[Video Description: Guinevere, a red cocker spaniel, chews something pale-colored. The photographer says something inaudible, and Gwyn pauses. The photographer says, "Show, baby, show"; Gwyn stands up, wagging, and approaches the camera, flopping down right next to it. The photographer says "Show, show" and Gwyn waves the thing in her mouth toward the photographer. It is a shed, bleached deer antler. Gwyn acts relaxed, as if she is not expecting the photographer to take her toy.]

~ THE OUTLAW VILLAIN AND THE SNAKE OIL SALESSPANIEL, PART I ~

(TO BE CONTINUED in part 2)

You're a respectable salesspaniel in this here western territory, setting up your wares, when an Outlaw Villain sashays into the crowd.

You can tell he's an Outlaw Villain by his black hat and black duster. That gives them away every time.

You feel pretty good about it, though, because people buy your wares more eagerly when they're feeling a little insecure.

You get everything all set up and hop up on your soap box to deliver your marketing spiel.

~ PERSPECTIVE CUT ~

You're a respectable traveler in this here western territory, working your way across the Wild West to get to a very intriguing job that was advertised in the papers back home.

You're very fond of your black hat and black duster, because your momma bought them for you when you set out and they're very nice.

You've stopped in this here little town to pick up some supplies at the General Store, and you just dropped by the Sheriff's Office to turn in your gun as long as you're inside the town. When you step back into the street, you see a Snake Oil Salesspaniel setting up a saleswagon.

Oh no! The innocent people! The Snake Oil Salesspaniel will take advantage of them.

In fact, you've seen the Salesspaniel before. A few towns over, you stopped for a refreshing drink in the saloon after you rode real hard to request a tow buggy for the stagecoach. The Salesspaniel was wearing a different hat, but it's definitely the same spaniel.

You were sitting in a dark corner, so the Salesspaniel didn't notice you when surreptitiously asking the saloonkeeper for a jug of the cheapest whiskey.

And you were riding quietly down the trail the next night, when you saw this exact same scheming charlatan at a rough camp, pouring that rotgut whiskey... into those bottles right there!

What are you going to do?

~ TO BE CONTINUED ~

Tristan demonstrates "stay," even though the gate to the pasture has opened next to him. He's waiting to hear "okay, go ahead!" but he knows that sometimes--not too often--the gate opens and he doesn't get to go through. We practice "stay" every time we open the gate, just for reinforcement.

Such a good boy! Waiting so patiently, and hoping. He'll get to go as soon as the picture is taken :)