poofy
09-14-2005, 02:54 PM
Hidden in this old goody are some commands you will use when teaching other tricks as well. When you tell Mimi to say her prayers, she will put her front paws up on whatever you indicate and drop her head reverently between them. While you speak some appropriate words, she will remain solemnly in position. When you say AMEN, she will break.
Begin by teaching your dog PAWS UP. This can be easily done either on a counter, the side of your bed, or even on your lap. dog should pray from a sitting position if the surface is low and a standing position if it is a high counter. Tap your legs and tell dog PAWS UP. If she's reluctant (no doubt you've taught her not to jump on people, so you will have to break this inhibition on command only), offer a treat that she can get only by placing her paws up on your lap. Make sure she remains, praise her, and tell her STAY
Now telling her HIDE YOUR EYES, hold the treat between her forequarters and below them so that she has to dip her head down to get it. Begin repeating SAY YOUR PRAYERS, holding the treat for a moment so that she cannot eat it. Now, as you say AMEN, GOOD GIRL, let her have the treat and break. Repeat this procedure a few times in each session.
As dog begins to learn each step, reduce your commands so that you just have to say SAY YOUR PRAYERS and AMEN. Now you can play with the trick. Your prayer (or hers, if you prefer) will be limited only by your sense of humor. She can pray for lunch, for a handsome boy dog, for a walk, for a raise in salary for her master. Practice dog's "prayers" on the edge of your bed or wherever you tell her to say them. Gradually build her patience so that you can fool around with longer and longer prayers. It'll be a very impressive skill if one day you and Mimi have an audience with the Pope.
Sammyj dosnt have this "mastered"..lol..lol..but we are working on praying for a little girl dog for us both..lol..lol..PJ
Begin by teaching your dog PAWS UP. This can be easily done either on a counter, the side of your bed, or even on your lap. dog should pray from a sitting position if the surface is low and a standing position if it is a high counter. Tap your legs and tell dog PAWS UP. If she's reluctant (no doubt you've taught her not to jump on people, so you will have to break this inhibition on command only), offer a treat that she can get only by placing her paws up on your lap. Make sure she remains, praise her, and tell her STAY
Now telling her HIDE YOUR EYES, hold the treat between her forequarters and below them so that she has to dip her head down to get it. Begin repeating SAY YOUR PRAYERS, holding the treat for a moment so that she cannot eat it. Now, as you say AMEN, GOOD GIRL, let her have the treat and break. Repeat this procedure a few times in each session.
As dog begins to learn each step, reduce your commands so that you just have to say SAY YOUR PRAYERS and AMEN. Now you can play with the trick. Your prayer (or hers, if you prefer) will be limited only by your sense of humor. She can pray for lunch, for a handsome boy dog, for a walk, for a raise in salary for her master. Practice dog's "prayers" on the edge of your bed or wherever you tell her to say them. Gradually build her patience so that you can fool around with longer and longer prayers. It'll be a very impressive skill if one day you and Mimi have an audience with the Pope.
Sammyj dosnt have this "mastered"..lol..lol..but we are working on praying for a little girl dog for us both..lol..lol..PJ