Luther's First Bath

I knew that some day this event would occur but I don't think Luther had any inkling! Luther had gone hunting with Jimmy and spent some time in the mud successfully scouting for ducks that had been shot down. When Luther came home, he brought the smelly mud with him. That was bothering me. But when he went out in the back yard and dragged a dead fish out of the lake, tossed it and repeatedly rolled on it, that was it! Stinky dog!
Matt Carden had shared that Joy was about the same PH as a dog's skin so this was the soap of choice. Jimmy brought our unwilling candidate into the guest bath because this tub has a shower head with a hose. Jimmy looped a short rope around Luther's neck and after a couple commands, he stood still and let me shampoo and rinse him all over. I had expected more of a water fight but he was very cooperative. After a vigorous toweling, off he ran streaking around the house. Goodbye fish, hello Luther!

Obedience

I think I'm going to need more training than Luther! Our first obedience class went famously. Jody Mountfort was on top of everything. She got Luther's attention immediately and he was literally eating out of her hand. A bump in the nose with a stiff "Off" stopped all the jumping. :-) Luther had a concept of "Sit" but "Down" was new to him as was "Leave-It!". "Come" was reinforced and although he is pretty good outside, the food reinforcement really had Luther's attention. He recognized immediately who had treats. Of course he has an active nose that won't quit.

Luther's potty breaks have been getting longer and longer and drawn out. Jody recommended we leash him and walk him back and forth in one area and keep him moving. It worked. The crating is going fine. He's pretty good and responding to "Kennel".

"Off" on the sofa is still a challenge but I'm committed to not having an 70 pound animal on my white sofa. This will take some concerted effort but we shall prevail.