Jackson had his very first day of puppy school on Friday. Like most mommies, I was a nervous wreck. I thought about giving him a bath - but opted against it. I kept telling him that we were going to be going to school and he would just look up at me with this confused expression on his face. It was obvious to me that I was much more excited than he was.

We left for school and immediately my worst fears were confirmed: Jackson was not the cutest dog in the pack. We sat right next to what had to be the cutest little thing imagineable. Mimi - a 2 lb 4 month old french poodle. She was this light champagne color and she sat on her owner’s lap like she KNEW she was the cutest little thing. Her owner also had along her two children. The youngest, a little boy, hugged Mimi around the neck so hard that I was scared little Mimi’s eyes would pop out of her tiny head. He was adorable - but I made a mental note to watch him closely. Black Jack, a 70 lb puppy arrived next. His owner looked to be all about business and Black Jack sat next to her obediently. I eyed him suspiciously; He seemed to know plenty of commands and I thought he was probably in the wrong class. This was a beginning class - this pup seemed to be well into advanced training.
And then another maltese arrived. I never did get her name but man was she adorable. She was about the size of Mimi and didn’t even seem to know how to bark, whine or disobey. She, too, sat on her Mommy’s lap and peered anxiously at her competition. And then Trooper arrived. Trooper, a 30 lb golden lab mix had groupies. His entire family came along with him - His owners (Mom and Dad) and their 3 children ages 11, 6, and 4. The two youngest girls were adorable - and would soon become Jackson’s biggest fans.

The trainer seemed to be an admirer of Cesar Milan - and talked to the owners about being a pack leader. Jack watched her, and by the expression on his face I could tell that he was not buying a single word she was saying. When the trainer insisted on having us put our dogs down on the floor so they could be “dogs” and face the world head on - Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Then the lessons began. Seems that we’ll be teaching them by using this clicker thing. Jack didn’t really seem to respond. He seemed to really enjoy Trooper - licking him on the nose and backing away shyly when Trooper would lick him back. Mimi also seemed to hold his attention, though she lived up to her “breed” by talking constantly until she was picked up. Jack was not impressed with her attention seeking devices.

The little boy was the first to discover Jackson. He sat right on the floor and during the exercises insisted on placing Jack in his lap and petting/strangling him. I tried to be nice about it - but it seemed that the little boy needed a bit of obedience training of his own. Then the little girls found Jack - and Jack, being a boy and a charmer, lapped up all the attention. Trooper didn’t seem to mind one bit - and neither did his Parents/owners. They seemed relieved to have their children entertained by Jackson - but as the lessons grew on and 3 children were wildly calling “Jackson!!” I grew just a tiny bit impatient. Jackson was suppose to be learning how to “watch” me - and would hear his name from every side of him imagineable and just tune out. The treat lures were not half as enticing as running back and forth between children and sitting on their laps and being pet by them and nibbling at their dirty little fingers. The trainer wasn’t very helpful either. I looked around at all the other puppies and in my imagination they all seemed to be doing miraculous tricks. I was certain that Jack, who had already learned at home to sit on command, fetch, and ALMOST lay down on command - would be the star pupil and he was turning out to be the “worst” of all the puppies. He was popular, though. Everyone LOVED Jackson.

After class I approached the teacher. I told her that I would need assistance with the children in class. Although Jack loved the attention from the little ones, I told her we needed some time to learn as much as the other doggies. She didn’t seem worried - but I was ready to go to the dean. She told me to practice the exercises at home and that next week the excitement would have died down and Jackson would be just another puppy to the young’uns. Yeah. Okay. Riiiight.

There was only one thing to do. Jackson and I went shopping. He needed some soft treats for training. The trainer said so. He also needed a little chew toy. And I needed some shopping therapy. The kids also went shopping with trooper. They practically fell down on the floor and pulled Jackson to them at every turn. Trooper’s owners apologized and told me that their little girls had fallen in love with Jackson. I told their parents that I should be a guy - because Jackson was a chick magnet if ever I saw one. The owner of the little girl Maltese also approached me and Jackson. Her baby with the little rhinestone pink colar and leash made me want a little girl - I swear. We talked a little Maltese before she and her well behaved and quiet little girl left the store.

Puppy school will indeed be a challenge. Jackson seems happy enough to be there - and he slept like a rock when we got home. We practiced a little bit today - and he doesn’t seem to get the whole “clicker” thing. He’s definitely his own little man - he believes he’s the alpha - and he’s determined to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. What is sad is that I’m somewhat okay with letting him do what he wants to do too. I keep thinking that he’s just a puppy and there are so many things for him to discover.

Along with Puppy school Jackson has also finished his shots! On Tuesday we will begin walking every morning and evening. This should wear off some of his energy as well, hopefully, and maybe then he’ll able to concentrate on his training exercises. We will see.

*glances at the length of this post* I’m done with Jackson now.

I have been working really hard on a few projects - I’m not ready to disclose them yet - because you know how I am with following through with stuff.

I have finals this week, too - and Halloween is just around the corner. I do want to mention that I will be working on Halloween … probably late. I probably will be on tomorrow, too - although I have some homework to attend to.

Oh - and thanks for the calls this weekend, boys! I had a great time. I had a great bday date with the one and only Tiffy, and also had a great time with Chris, and Mark, and Matt, and Brian, U.R. and quite a few others. I know you all are looking foward to the costumes this year. *wink* Don’t eat too many treats - and make sure you call if you need some relief. I got a few tricks up my sleeves - and I don’t even need training to perform them. Well - not much training, anyways.