Ajax's first real store outing
Well tonight Ajax went to his first real store outing. It was one of those big warehouse type pet stores called Petcetera. He has been in small pet stores and did well. But this is his first big store where I was able to work with him while pushing a cart around too. He walked great at my side going to the store. Was reall curious about the automatic doors. He kept trying to sniff them but they would always slid away from him. He finally just gave up. He checked out the cart sniffing all around it and after he was done ignored it. I have been walking him with the stroller so he was used to walking with me while I pushed something. So this was no different. We walked around the store with me correcting him every time he attempted to smell a shelf and praising him when he ignored the shelves of food and stayed with me. He checked out some metal ladders and some other strange objects with no reaction other then curiosity. Several of the staff came over to pet him when they saw his Service Dog In Training bandana on. He just loved up to them soaking up all the attention and sneaking as many kisses as he could. lol They could not believe how calm and well mannered he was for only 5 months old. Well I answered questions he quietly sat at my side for a few minutes. Then he decided that if I was just going to stand there then he could relax. So he flopped down and stretched out on his side. Everyone laughed and commented that he sure knew how to relax and not be the least bit stressed in a new place. We stayed there are 15 minutes walking around. Then we went to the check out since i bought him a dollar treat for being so good. He stayed in a sit while we paid and then got some attention from some customers.
All in all he did great. The only problem I forsee so far is his tail. It is fine when he is walking with me and focused on me. It will be in a relax down position. But as soon as anyone makes a move to pet him or love on him that tail wags so hard that his whole hind end swings back and forth. My mom says it reminds her of her rotti that she used to own. She would wag her bum she would say since she didn't have a tail. Well Ajax has a tail and if he doesn't learn to control it then it could clear shelves. lol So we need to work on that. He just loves people so much that he has to show it with his tail. lol
Nicole
