Pete Peterson was riding his bicycle past the park when he spotted a group of people with their dogs. He stopped to watch and took a seat on the bench under the pergola. After a few minutes, it was obvious that this was a dog training session with some of the dogs not very interested in following orders.
One dog in particular caught his attention. It was a tri-colored collie whose owner was a slim, redhead of indeterminate age from this distance. As he watched, he began to grin as the dog sat down or lay down when given a command to do something else. The dog was obviously the boss here.
As he was laughing, the dog suddenly jumped up and ran towards him, tearing the leash from his owner's hand. Pete sat still as the dog rapidly came near then suddenly stopped a mere three feet away. The dog tilted his head and looked at Pete, trying to make up his mind whether or not to trust this person, then finally walked slowly forward and laid his head on Pete's lap.
Pete moved his hand to scratch the dog behind the ears and the dog wagged his tail very rapidly. At this point, the dog's owner approached and began to yell at Pete.
"What do you think you're doing? That's my dog. Let go of him this instant."
Pete raised his hands as tho she was pointing a gun at him and answered her in a calm voice.
"I'm not holding him against his will, ma'am, he's here because he wants to be here. His leash is there at your feet."
She reached down and grabbed the leash, tugging the dog away from Pete. The dog turned his head and growled deep in his throat. The woman instantly dropped the leash and stepped back. Pete immediately scolded the dog for his bad behavior.
"Bad dog. It's not nice to growl at your mistress. Bad dog."
As he said this, the dog backed up and hung his head as if he understood that he was being reprimanded. Pete continued.
"Go be nice to her right now. Go on! Now!"
The dog turned slowly and crept to the woman and laid his head on her shoe. She slowly reached down to pet the dog and once again took hold of the leash. The dog sat up at her feet but turned his head to look at Pete with those big, dark eyes that collie's have.
"Good dog." Pete said, and smiled at the dog.
"That's amazing! How did you do that? He's never behaved like that for me. What's your secret?"
"No secret. I just love dogs, especially collies. I've had dogs most of my adult life until I moved into my current apartment which doesn't allow dogs. Your dog simply understood that I really liked him and he was eager to please. My guess is that you've done something that made him distrust you somehow, that's all."
"I guess I have yelled at him a bit. He just doesn't seem to behave like the other dogs, even at home. Is there something I can do to overcome this problem?"
"Maybe. What's his name?"
"Toby. At least, that's what I have been calling him. The vet that I got him from didn't really know his name."
"Toby. Speak, Toby, Speak."
The dog barked once at the command and Pete smiled again, and then reached out to pat the dog.
"Did you see his ears go up when I said his name? He's Toby alright, and he's intelligent as well. Once I said his name, I got his attention. The next thing I said was a command that he knows, so he reacted. Simple. You try it."
"Toby. Beg, Toby, beg."
Toby instantly sat up on his hindquarters and raised his paws to his chest, looking up at her.
"Now tell him good dog and pet him quickly."
The woman did as instructed and Toby sat down once again.
"Ok, now try walking with him. The command you've been working on is heel, so say his name, then the command, then start walking away and let's see what happens."
"Toby. Heel, Toby, Heel."
As soon as she took the first step, the dog was immediately at her side. She held the leash loosely and began walking, first to the left, then to the right, then back to where Pete sat on the bench. When she stopped in front of Pete, Toby sat at her side, waiting for the next command.
"Praise him. Tell him what a good dog he is along with a warm pat on the back and a scratch behind the ears."
"Good dog, Toby, good dog."
She scratched him gently behind the ears and patted him as well. Toby relaxed his posture a little and Pete grinned broadly. He then reached over and also patted Toby affectionately. "See? There's nothing wrong with his manners. You two just weren't communicating."
"Just remember two simple rules. One, name first, then the command. Two, praise and petting for a good job. He wants to please you but he needs to know what you want of him."
"Thank you."
"You're entirely welcome."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I've forgotten my manners. I'm Sarah Riley." She said, extending her hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Sarah Riley, my name is Pete Peterson."
They shook hands and looked each other in the eye. Pete was sure he could feel her shudder as he held her gaze. He felt a stirring in his gut at the same time.
"Do you live near here, Sarah?"
"Yes, Pete. I'm in the second house down the street, the one with the blue car in the drive. And you?"
"I'm in an apartment about three blocks down. I ride my bike for a little fresh air and a little exercise."
"Our lesson is over, Pete, would you like to walk us home? I can offer you something to drink if you like."
"I would indeed, Sarah. A cold drink would go down very well about now. How about you, Toby? Would you like a cold drink too?"
Toby barked once in response and began to wag his tail.
"I think that makes it unanimous, Sarah, shall we go?"
