[bluesbarby]

Ok, Riley graduates on Sunday and for his "final" we were supposed to do a "spectacular" trick. I took everyone's advice. We set up a routine as follows: He does his "dance" (twirls around on his back legs)then I go bang and he drops onto his back to play dead (well sort of he still wiggles) then he rolls over on cue and I call him front (so he sits in front of me) then I tell him to finish and he circles to my left and sits, then he stands and "bows" Will this be enough. Remember he's only 8 months old.

[Curbside Prophet]

OMG, yes! As long as you're both having fun, that's all that matters, and I doubt anyone else will do half as much. A+ in my book.

[TheChinClique]

Most definitely! There's no way I could ever get my dogs to do even half that! I can get Henry to dance for a treat and I can get Tank to "pray" for a treat but that's about it!

Good luck with the final!

[bluesbarby]

Wow, thanks guys. We've been working on jumping a hoop but so far that's going really slow and won't be ready in time. Wish I could figure out a way to get him to close his eyes when he plays dead. But sometimes he does a really dramatic flip to his back that actually looks like he's been hit. I'm having so much fun with these tricks. So much so, that we're signing up for a click and trick class next.

[Lorina]

I think it's spectacular that he can do so many tricks! You'll be the star.

My dog stole the show at his obedience final, and all he did was "bang" (play dead).

[Inga]

LoL That is great. I love doggie tricks. I have a feeling he will put on a lot of shows in his life. Do you do pet Therapy with him. I know a lot of senior citizens that would love a little visitor like Riley.

[bluesbarby]

Actually I do plan to do pet therapy. My DH is checking into it for me to see if I need any kind of certification.

[Jen D]

I am now embarrassed thinking my dogs were so well trained, you get an A+++++ from me!

[Lorina]

I believe therapy dogs first need their CGC, then a therapy dog certification. A friend of mine has one of her Aussies certified as a therapy dog. The hardest part of training was getting him to completely ignore treats, to simulate if someone dropped food at a nursing home.

[Durbkat]

Wow thats awesome! You gotta get that on tape and show us!

[ToysHaveMyHeart]

Here are some dog therapy sites/organizations that you might be interested in:

Love on a Leash
http://www.loveonaleash.org/

Delta Society
http://www.deltasociety.org/home.htm

Therapy Dogs International
http://www.tdi-dog.org/

Therapy Dogs Inc.
http://www.therapydogs.com/


I haven't had any personal experience with them myself, but they were recommened by a couple of books I own. I would wish your luck in you training class, but I don't think you will need it

[poodleholic]

Great routine! Riley is having fun - Poodles were fabulous circus dogs; they have such a wonderful sense of humor, and timing!

You rock, Riley!