Yesterday, I happened to have two chances to see how well our new dog Lola, a Rottweiler pup age 8 months, has really mastered the sit. I’ve been training her to sit for most of the 3 weeks or so that we’ve had her. Lots more to do! Sure, she sits for me almost anytime we’re doing a training session, even with mild distractions. But what about life in “the real world?”

Not the same, not at all!

We took her to our veterinarian for a checkup, a heartworm test, and booster shots. She jumped willingly into the car, let Kelly attach the travel harness we use to the back-seat seatbelt, and rode in a relaxed manner. Great!

Once in the vet’s office, she was so interested in all the smells and people, and as we left, one other dog in the waiting room, that my occasional attempt to get her attention and have her sit didn’t work.

It was the attention part. Okay, more work to do!

Later, Kelly I went out to have dinner at the home of some friends. What with driving either way, visiting, and a quick grocery stop, we were gone nearly 4 hours. When we got back, I wanted Lola to sit before I opened the gate. But she was so very excited to see us that she was wiggling all over the place.

That’s dog training for you. Patience!