Training

train [treyn]

verb.

to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of 

(a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: 

to train an unruly boy. 

My parents would say it should read.....to train an unruly girl.  

Training can be difficult when it comes to our children.  It takes practice and repetition, and how often we forget that they have a mind of their own.

Many years ago, we moved from Georgia to Michigan.  Our darling dears could not get the concept of wearing a coat.  It was natural for them to just run outside and play.  We began to sound like a broken record, "PUT ON YOUR COAT!"

And just when you are patting yourself on the back for this accomplishment in the training, they are back in the door from playing and plop their coats in a heap on the floor.

This became the next task to train....

.....it was time to call in Tall Man.

Tall Man has military training.  He can bark out orders so fast your head will spin!  You know you should be doing something a certain way, but you just can't perform the task fast enough before more orders are barked.

Tall Man gave them an exercise to do every time they walked into the house.

Open the Door

Come inside.

Close the door.

Take off your coat.

Hang up your coat.

Take your coat off the hook.

Put your coat on.

Open the door.

Go outside.

(repeat 10 times)

Our three little soldier monkeys would repeat this exercise every morning, afternoon and evening.  It was like watching Larry, Moe and Curly in our entryway. And it worked!....for a while....

I am still training.....

I give constant reminders to the dear ones, but now......

 it is Puppy's turn.