Benji’s Training Day

All photos taken on May 14, 2022.

Benji, the Wonder Dog here. You can call me Wonder, if you like, ’cause, you will wonder where I am going, what I am sniffing, what I will be barking at and will I come when called. I like to keep my pack of Hoomins guessing. Its who I am. Its what I do.

Today, I used my superpower telepathy to get my Hoomins to put the leash on me. I could have done it myself, but, my Hoomins are in training and I wanted to see how they would do.

On the way down to Sunset Beach, I taught them how to slow down, by stopping to sniff frequently, pausing from time to time to eat some of that leafy green stuff that grows outdoors here (or whatever else I find that is interesting) and by deliberately winding my leash around poles, trees and my Hoomins to ensure they have the dexterity to control me and themselves. Its my “can they walk and chew gum at the same time” test. They passed my test, but, just barely.

I walked where I wanted to walk, they walked where I wanted them to walk.

Walking and woofing down Sunset Beach.

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Just before leaving the waterfront, I pulled my Hoomin over to a brightly coloured bunch of doggy salad and made him pose with me. Does he not look pretty?

Entering Stanley Park, I saw this bright yellow sign with a Mommy and Baby Coyote on it. I’ve seen them around. There is nothing special there. Why do THEY get top billing here? Where is MY sign? I’m gonna have my Hoomins talk to the authorities about that.

OK, now I could start the Hoomin training in earnest. I needed to teach my Hoomins how to walk behind me, at my pace and come off the path and back on whenever I want them to. They did OK….ish, but they need more practice.

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Benji, the Overseer

Come.

I SAID….COME. That’s better. Ya gotta pay attention or I won’t let you rub my tummy when we get home.

Ahhh, here we are at the 2 legger/4 legger separator device. My Hoomin was confused about which lane we should use. I let him know that no dang horse is better than Benji, the Wonder Dog. Harumph. He got the message.

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Look at Me. Look at Me. You have to stop looking around and barking at the other Hoomins when they walk by. No treat for you until you learn this lesson. Stay, Stayyyyyyyyyyy, Come.

Now, it is time to exert my authority and see how much pulling force it takes to drag my pack along. Not much, as it turns out. Box checked!

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OK, we will now do some dexterity training. We will see how close you can get that orange bouncy thingie to me. You throw it. If it comes close and I don’t have to run too far, I’ll bring it right back to you. If it comes 5 feet from me, I will bring it back and drop it 5 feet from you. Same story for 10 feet, 15 feet and so on. If you do this three times in a row, I will double the gap between you and where I drop it. Got it? Trust me, you WILL learn.

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OK, I think you’ve got it, but your accuracy still needs improvement. Wait until I do your performance review. Maybe you will get it then.

One more chance. We will try it on grass. That gravel was a pain on my paws.

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Great arm extension, good toss, excellent bounce, right to me. Now you’ve got it. Take me home. I’m off the clock. Benji out.