A few months ago, my friend Alex (who I have known from the horse world for years!!!) asked if I would be able to attend "Girl Scout Badge Day" with a couple of dogs, and do a little demo on dog obedience. Well, I am (at heart) a show off, and any time I can go and do something with the dogs.... I am all there!!!!Today, after we finished teaching classes, Moxie, Camille and I headed over for badge day. The "little" girls there couldn't have been cuter, and were such great sports with regards to my demo. Course, Moxie and Camille couldn't have been any happier than to be the center of attention.
Now, what does one do with regards to an "obedience demo", well, certainly show the dogs off a little (but honestly, they were both pretty tired from classes, so I have to admit, weren't at their very best!!!) But, more than that, I want to try and have the girls understand what it is like to "train".
So, I came up with this idea... using M&M's as "treats" and coming up with some strange sounding words, I showed the girls what it might be like for a dog to learn a new word and then receive an award after figuring it out. Here is one little gal that was happy to volunteer and figured out that "Moo-be-shoo" meant "please sit in the chair"!!! Then I had the girls pair up, one as trainer the other as trainee, and we came up with two different words... "cheerios" meant lay on the floor and "Pinnocho" meant twirl around. The girls had mini packs of M&M's to offer as a reward, and judging from the laughter in the room, I think the idea was a big hit. However, I do think there was some "serious" m
oments where the girls were actually thinking of what it might be like to be a dog trying to figure out this "training thing".
After our "training game" , we had some question and answer time and in a flash, it was all over!!!!
For Cami the best part of the day came at the end, when she was surrounded by all the girls scouts, though, I doubt she had her fill of the patting.
And special thanks to Cindi!!! who, took these photos so I could post the blog!!!!
5 comments:
I remember the days of being in girl scouts! How fun! :o) Enjoy seeing your dogs. They all look so sweet.
All three of you were amazing! I know you made a lasting impression on these girls; on being a strong confident woman, and for compassionate, thoughtful training of animals! we were truly blessed to have you all attend!!
What an awesome thing to do!! Also I thought it was so creative to use different words and M&Ms. What a wonderful gift you gave the girls!!
Wow! I remember helping you with the dogs....still.
I almost "joined" into the girl scouts, until my mom caught me. (That was when I was three, and when I was the escapee of the family. I loved to explore!)
(Maybe you heard that story before, Miss Sue.)
Beautiful babies you have there!
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