Hi everybody, Penny here.
Well.
Mom and daddy say that it’s time that I stop all my temper tantrums at home and the barking and lunging at doggies at school, and the chasing cars and joggers and bicycles thing. Also my very loud and insistent objections to things like the shower being turned on, or the refrigerator door being closed without me getting anything.
You know, stuff like that.
So they had a lady come over to the house to meet me. She’s very nice and has the best treats! After initially barking at her and then jumping on her I decided to show her my very best behavior and I sat. I sat a lot and stared expectantly at her.
And every time I looked at her while something noisy was happening in the house she gave me a teeny tiny barely there treat. I thought this was the best game ever!
So now mom and daddy are trying to anticipate my outbursts and get my attention before I go off on them. I seem to be getting more attention and more treats lately. We’re only a few days in but I like it!
Then yesterday mom took me out to a park and we practiced heeling and downing and sitting and coming and stuff. Lots of treats there too.
I may have hit the jackpot!
And then…last night, just when I was settling into my after supper nap which leads to my after supper sleep, mom woke me up and put me in the car and we went to a little historic town nearby where we met up with the same nice lady and another family with their dog, and we walked around town!
Well! I’m not real happy about being near noisy cars and I was a little bit hyper but the nice lady and my mom would just make a sound that reminded me to look at them and then I got a treat!
Mom brought cheese!
We walked around and around and around this little town and I was mostly good. Sometimes I couldn’t help it and I’d forget to look at mom and start barking and twirling over something, and a couple times she had to hug me to calm me down, but overall I am beginning to learn that mom’s got my back and I don’t have to protect her from anything.
Maybe.
I bet mom and I will be having more of these adventures. I can’t decide if I like them better than my park adventures, but if there’s cheese…well…I’m in! Right after I take a nap.
Change Is Hard 
March 8, 2025 at 9:40 am
Way to go, Penny! I bet you and your mom and dad will have the best time ever now that you are learning to be such a fabulous dog!
You look wonderful in all the pictures.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:04 am
Well Ms. Dale, I have my moments…both good and bad. Sometimes mom and dad just shake their heads. But mostly they laugh at me and give me treats, so it’s all good.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:08 am
In all fairness, we all do Miss Penny. You just have wonderful parents willing to put up (sometimes) with your shenanigans!
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March 8, 2025 at 10:25 am
Atta girl, Penny! Just keep listening to Mom and that nice lady. Hard, though, isn’t it? After all, Shelties do love to bark and twirl.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:06 am
Oh Ms. Laurie, my SPECIALITY is twirling while barking! But I guess, for treats, I can give it up, at least for Lent.
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March 8, 2025 at 11:07 am
Mastering that self control is such a hard job, lol
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March 11, 2025 at 10:07 am
Oh VJ, it’s SO hard! I don’t think my mom understands the difficulty and my sacrifice!
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March 11, 2025 at 11:28 am
LOL
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March 8, 2025 at 11:24 am
Oh Happy Day Penny! Think of all the places you will go! Keep up the good work.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:09 am
I like traveling best when you’re in the back seat with me, Aunt Beth! When are you coming up to visit me?
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March 8, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Oh you are such a lucky dog! And your humans seem to have found a lucky person for guidance.
Zorro and his Human Mom (me) have been working on a bunch of things suddenly this month. Some of which sound like similar stuff. Zorro can be quite reactive on leash. Or not. HM was a bit worried after signing up for Advanced pet dog training as a refresher (we did all that 9 years ago or so, but don’t practice enough), especially seeing the small training area and learning that the other 2 dogs in the class are large males, which Zorro is more likely to take exception to than much smaller or female dogs. Lo and behold, everyone has behaved exceptionally! And we are mostly working outside the little fenced area, throughout the pet store, so there’s space aplenty. (9 years ago, for beginning and advanced classes, Zorro was so wild a couple of times that I had to put him back into the car eventually and go inside by myself. Thank goodness he has mellowed out to the world so much!)
I also realized that, although I practice sits, downs, waits lots at home, I don’t much practice elsewhere, or that loose leash walknig let alone like a heel, or waiting before going through a gate or door (can you say “gradual relaxation of criteria”?). Our goal is to get Zorro’s CDC, since almost all my other dogs have earned it.I hope your cheese-accepting activities continue to go well.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:12 am
Oh Ms Ellen, I know. It takes sooooo much practice! Mom signed me up for a Rally Trial in TWO WEEKS! Now all of a sudden in school I refuse to “DOWN!” Just because I can, you know. I think Zorro will be able to get his CDC, no problem. Most of the mistakes I did when I got mine were cause mom wasn’t paying attention. You and Zorro are a good team, it will go fine!
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March 8, 2025 at 2:17 pm
You are one smart cookie (cookies!!), Penny. I’d do just about anything for cheese, too. That’s a pretty great game here–be good, get a treat. I’d keep up the good work.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:13 am
Yea, Ms. Lois, don’t tell anybody cause I think there must be a mistake. Sit here and be good, get a treat, doesn’t quite seem right, you know? Seems like I should be DOING something for the treat, but I’ll take em while I can get em.
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March 8, 2025 at 4:15 pm
That sounds like a great game, Penny. I’d behave (and do tricks!) for cheese, too.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:14 am
Well, Ms. Robin, I’ve figured out there’s cheese, and there’s GOOD cheese. I think I’m at the stage where good cheese should be used. Mom wants to use the same old cheap cheese. We’ll see who wins.
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March 8, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Hi Penny! It sounds like you are doing a good job learning your manners. It is a lot of work, I know. Glad that Mom upgraded your treat to cheese…makes it worthwhile to keep your eyes on her and listen to what she is asking you to do. Good luck – you can do it! 😊
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March 11, 2025 at 10:14 am
Well, Ms. Denise, I’ve been fooled by kibble in the past. I’m more astute now. Mom is still figuring it all out. Mom is slow.
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March 8, 2025 at 5:24 pm
As I read about your cheese excitement – I get it, cheese is my favorite food group! – I couldn’t help but wonder if you’ve heard Cheese Tax by Puppy Songs? If you haven’t, tell Mama to Google it for you – I think you’ll both get a little chuckle from it.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:15 am
Well, no, we had not heard of that song. Mom went to play it and we both laughed and laughed. Then I asked for cheese.
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March 8, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Dear Penny – I love cheese too, but with Triscuit crackers. One of my weaknesses. You are learning a lot of new things – how do you remember them all?
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March 11, 2025 at 10:16 am
It’s not easy, Ms. Linda! There’s soooo much. Mostly though it involves watching mom when I’m wondering if I should do something. She’s supposed to give me signs and direction. Sometimes she’s busy talking to someone else and then I just do what I want and she gets confused. Silly mom. If she doesn’t focus on me I’m not going to focus on her!
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March 11, 2025 at 9:06 pm
I agree with you there Penny – YOU should be the focal point of mom’s time with you … no, her life. There I’ve said it because it is true. 🙂
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March 8, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Sounds like Mom and Dad need to assert that THEY are the alpha dog/s in this relationship. I had similar issues with my last dog … the nice lady who worked with my dog (and mostly with me!) told me to let my dog lick my mouth when I first walked into the house … just like puppies would with their dog momma, so the dog momma would then throw up and give them food. Just that one trick told my puppy that she was NOT the alpha dog, that I was, and that she could trust me. Also, hold your head just a bit higher than the pup’s head and make her make eye contact with you … no sound needs to be made. And, when the pup acts up, grab the pup with your hand around her neck, don’t hurt her, but hold her solidly around the neck, then put your head down right above hers, and GROWL deeply. Lots of little tricks like that. Sounds like Penny is, again, spectacularly smart, and learning really quickly. 🙂
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March 11, 2025 at 10:18 am
That’s some good advice, Ms. Ann! Sometimes mom does grab me by my scruff and tell me in no uncertain terms to straighten up. I’m glad I’m a sheltie with lots of fur there! But I do settle down, that’s for sure. When mom gets serious I know I better be good.
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March 9, 2025 at 6:34 am
I’m with you on the cheese Penny. Keep up the good work.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:20 am
Cheese is my favorite thing in the whole world, Mr. Mike. Right behind my mom and dad.
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March 9, 2025 at 9:21 am
Good job, Penny. You are showing up in a doggy appropriate way that’ll guarantee you a lifetime of treats upon treats upon treats.
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March 11, 2025 at 10:21 am
I never thought about that Ms. Ally! Doggy appropriate! That’s an important concept for me to ponder. I think I can do it! But it might be when I’m 5 or 6. Or 10.
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March 9, 2025 at 11:06 am
Oh dear Penny, you sound just like my Monk! Twirling, barking, and chasing whatever moves seem pre-wired into most Shelties. I’m happy your mom found that nice lady with the cheese to help you learn proper princess behavior! Monk and I practice his puppy school lessons (though not often enough), and he still refuses to Leave It or Drop It (a real aggravation when he picks up everything!) Hang in there — you’re too pretty a pup to act like a hooligan!
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March 11, 2025 at 10:24 am
Oh Ms. Debbie. I don’t drop stuff or leave it either. Mom has pried plenty of stuff out of my mouth! And I know I’ll always be on high alert and barky-barky…that’s just who I am. But mom and dad are hoping to get me to stop having temper tantrums when I don’t get my way.
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March 9, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Awesome, Penny. You are doing great and learning quickly!
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March 11, 2025 at 10:24 am
I am a very fast learner! The better for more treats!
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March 9, 2025 at 1:30 pm
You look like an angel, Penny! And now you are learning how to earn your wings. Way to go!
Deb
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March 11, 2025 at 10:25 am
Oh I have lots and lots to learn. Which is good. More learning means more treats!
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March 9, 2025 at 2:43 pm
OMG I am dying laughing!! Shelties have such strong similarities between them Levi barks and lunges at our complex when we take a walk (only at other dogs), I also try to anticipate it and “treat” him. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Levi HATES when I crack eggs or stir eggs (with the price of eggs he won’t have to worry about THAT for a while!). He also hates when I add seasoning to foods. Crazy Shelties!
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March 11, 2025 at 10:26 am
Yep Ms. Caren, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t! Sometimes I just can’t help myself, treat or no treat!
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March 12, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Penny are you SURE you aren’t related to Levi?????? lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On some things you are sooooooooo much alike!!! lol!!
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March 9, 2025 at 7:01 pm
:0 This made me smile…learning new things is always good especially with treats!
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March 11, 2025 at 10:31 am
Oh I love to learn new things because it almost always gets me treats!
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March 11, 2025 at 5:36 am
Well, sounds to me like you’ve trained your mom to give you more treats!!!! Excellent work Penny! You’re very smart 😉
You sound a lot like some other dog I know, the one I live with 😂
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March 11, 2025 at 10:32 am
Yep Ms. Sara. But don’t tell mom, she thinks SHE’s training ME! 🙂
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March 16, 2025 at 7:07 pm
Catch on quick Penny and mom will be so happy and give you even MORE treats maybe. Trust the process Dawn… glad Penny is showing signs of progress!
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March 16, 2025 at 9:50 pm
We’re working really hard now! I go to school Tuesday afternoon, and every other week I have a PRIVATE LESSON with a special trainer, and then on Fridays I go on a group dog walk in town where there are lots of cars and things to bark at. By Saturday I’m exhausted!
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