Yesterday was Murphie’s first obedience class.
Here’s what Murphie can do at home:
Sit. Shake. Down. Walk on a lead. (which is not a leash, but similar, and I swear by them. Foster and Sydney walked on leads and they are seriously the best thing ever. EVER. I talk to strangers about them. Well, we all know I will talk to anyone, but you know what I mean.) She can also be calm. Be gentle. Be the best dog ever.
My brother, Jason, and his new puppy, Knuckles, are taking the class with us. This is super fun for us because a) we don’t have kids and b) our dogs are our kids and c) we don’t have anything in common except our parents, sisters, and our dogs so d) we’re bonding which means e) our dogs are cousins.
Anywho, the hubby and I bragged on Murphie to everyone. She’ll be the star of the show, we said. She’s THO THMART, we said. She knows so much, we said.
You know where this is going, right?
So the trainer starts the class explaining the importance of a lead.
“Who has used one?” she asked.
“ME! ME! MEMEMEMEME!” Raised hand wildly. Teacher’s pet. I seriously couldn’t help it.
The other three newbies in the class??? Nope. No experience whatsoever.
“Murphie’s been on a lead since day one!” I exclaimed. Beaming. (And that’s a lie because I’m pretty sure we didn’t do anything on day one except kiss her and clean up pee.)
The three newbies (a 2 year old rescue, a 4 month old Rottweiler, and an 11 week old Pitbull Mix) did amazing. UH-MAZING.
Murphie?
SPAZ. SPAZSPAZSPAZ. Tangled me up in the lead. Pulled. Cried. Whined. Talked. Was distracted by every.single.little.thing including grass, chairs, people, flowers, poop, puppies, dogs, trainers, cameras, wind, sun, and air.
After about AN HOUR, Murphie calmed down long enough to show off her skills. And then she was THE EXAMPLE for the trainer to use. But it took AN HOUR. AN HOUR!
Then I went home and napped.
And, later, I finished my Fun Friday Chart Makeover!!!!!!! Hip Hip Hooray! {ish}
Here’s why it’s Hooray-ish.
The velcro dots are all akimbo. Off kilter. Not straight.
I eyeballed it.
GASP! I know! The HORROR OF EYEBALLING!
I didn’t want to eyeball it. I got out my yardstick. I got out my pencil. I got out my math brain.
And then I got out the wine because I got a little frustrated and confused . . .
Shoulder shrug.
Except for you guys, no one is going to see this except for my first graders. And they can’t even walk in two straight-ish lines on a good day so I know they’re not going to notice the crooked dots.
So nobody tell them.
And don’t tell me, either, because believe me, I already know. The rash that broke out all over my body due to the un-perfectness of this chart is enough to remind me.
Here’s a close up view of how it might look IN USE:
I am excited about the mini-series too. BTW, I think 6 kids in my class would be heaven. Number 27 begins in my class this week!
~Christy
Mrs. Holder’s First Grade
Although I loved the whole, entire, complete, every word of it post – I absolutely lost it when I read, "…and now let's all live in the wonderful land of only having six students to take care of and teach". The laughter you are hearing way down in Southern California is coming from me up north. So, so, so funny! Except it isn't … but it is! I would settle for the good old days (three lllloooonnnngggg years ago) when we had 20. Life was so sweet and wonderful with 20. Sigh. Thank you for making me laugh so hard … it felt really good!
Love to you,
Camille
Hahaha – this chart is going to haunt you forever! So glad to hear that Murphie got his act together. 🙂
Catherine
The Brown-Bag Teacher
We've all been there… of course it's usually with kids and not dogs, but still…we totally understand! =)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
HI! I am your newest follower! LOVE YOUR BLOG!! SO cute!!
-Holly Phinney
Specialsmartspecialhearts.blogspot.com
……and then i got out the wine, story of my life sister! 🙂 your chart looks fabulous! I predict it will work out wonderfully!! Cheers!
……and then i got out the wine, story of my life sister! 🙂 your chart looks fabulous! I predict it will work out wonderfully!! Cheers!
My dog is named Murphy! Loved your post! Murphie will settle down as he ages…and so will you! Remember: charts do not have to be straight! Things do not need to be perfect, just made with love…
Have another glass of wine and I bet the dots will look fabulous……..thanks for the smile on a Sunday evening 🙂
I love the chart! What a great idea! (And six kids would be awesome, huh? I had one year with 19 firsties and since then, I've had no fewer than 28… Yikes!)
Angie
The First Grade Scoop
I'm having a giveaway… Stop by and check it out!
Thank you so much for the smiles! This just might be the first Sunday night I am going off to bed laughing instead of crying (because I have to get up at 5:15am, ugh). I remember those days of Obedience School all.too.well. And no, my fur-baby didn't calm down as he got older! But we still love him to pieces…and so do his "little sisters".
~Danielle~
My First Love
Oh Kristin, big smiles… very big smiles…. puppy kindergarten is a laugh riot until your dog embarrasses you. Ours, who is sass-i-tude all day long, would not come out from under our chair….. ever….. the whole 10 weeks. Pulling, crying and screaming like she was being abused. Then at home, perfect angel-minus the dry wall she was eating… I mean dry wall??? Yep. Down to the studs! Studs! Did I mention this was in an apartment? I was not going to give up our security deposit. I fixed that wall up with Spackle and toothpaste. Toothpaste adds just the right amount of texture, and makes the place smell clean… what was I talking about? Oh yes puppy kindergarten… she was socially promoted.
Katie Knight
Teacher to the Core Blog
So glad the chart fiasco is behind you. 😀
Have a great week!
Dying. You crack me up. Hahaha! I think Murphie would get along great with our two mini beasts. They seem to get distracted by the same things. Love that new chart!
Ahh you are so funny! Murphie sounds like she would get long very well with our dog. Our dog we thought was pretty smart too, until we took him to puppy class and he was the wild bafoon and just wanted to play with other dogs for the ENTIRE TIME and cried and moaned and groaned about it for the ENTIRE TIME and got put in the special class where there are only like two other dogs. HAHAHA. He got much better though after a few classes and is now the PICTURE of a well behaved dog (Wink wink). Anyways, glad you are enjoying your pup and your chart is looking super!
Dynelle
First Grade Fun with Mrs. Dunn
Bwahaha! You eyeballed it pretty well and I think wine helps everything. 🙂
Irene
Learning With Mrs. Leeby
Hahaha!!! You and this chart! My second graders also struggle with the whole line walking thing. So you're totally right – eve ball away. And yay for cousin dogs!
❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First