Go Home!

Every dog can be a Lassie Go Home. (Yes, I know it's Lassie Come Home, but it's a catchy start) Teach yours this practical skill and watch his feet fly.

Why do we teach this? It's one of the most fun things to do at the end of a walk. And Charlie loves to dash home ahead of you, bouncing and dancing, while the slow-footed human finally appears. And, in case your dog finds that small hole under the gate you meant to repair, he's a lot more likely to recreate Lassie's adventure.

How do we teach this? All ya need is a bowl of kibble or treats, and away you go.

On the way out on your walk, drop kibble into the bowl you've left out on the porch. Let Charlie see you put the goodies in. Off you go.

As you get within a few feet of home, *drop the leash and tell him, "Charlie, Go Home!" and encourage him to dash ahead of you. He'll arrive, spy the bowl of treasures, and the reward is his.

Each walk, leave the bowl out. Send him home a little farther away each day until he can start in Poughkeepsie, New York, and arrive in Irvine. Try from both directions until he streaks home like he's launched from a cannon.

If Charlie starts to pull on the leash as you approach home, don't turn him loose! That only rewards pulling. Make Charlie walk nicely before you release him, thus rewarding loose-leash manners.

We need many small ways to enjoy our dog.s The little ways our dogs make us proud, or make us laugh, are the nuggets of why we love and need our dogs.

Go Home!

* I assume you live in a safe enough area to do this. If not, dont drop the leash; just run like blazes behind Charlie.