Civilpooch

November 2003

Juno and I attended our first agility class on a cold, muddy day in Albany, California. Agility is a dog and people sport where the dog goes over jumps, through hoops, tunnels, and climbs over obstacles. The handler guides the over the correct obstacles. It’s fun for dogs and people. It’s a great workout for dogs, and for people.

Whenever it’s time to have Juno meet a new dog, I start on leash in a large area, about 40 to 60 feet away from the new dog. I make sure I’m far enough away that Juno does not react wildly, but close enough that she clearly is paying attention.

Here’s a typical walk with Juno. This routine has evolved over time, and changes daily. Betty and I do it a bit differently.

I head to the kitchen, grab my fanny pack out of the refrigerator, check to make sure there are at least two string cheese sticks available and ready to use. Fill bottom of bag with a mixture of dog food, a few pieces of cat food and whatever scraps of chicken or other treats are around.

Prologue

It’s January 2006.

I’m standing at the front of the training room at the Berkeley Humane Society. Juno is lying on a mat working on a bone. The room fills with a bunch of excited dogs on their first day of class. Juno looks up and wags.

“Welcome to class. I’m John, your instructor. Our demo dog tonight is Juno.”

In July 2003, I entered the same training room with Juno straining at the end of her leash - barking, lunging and growling at the other dogs in the room.