It wasn't more than couple days later that he taught me a secret, "Joy and Enthusiasm, Every Day In Every Way". I decided right then that I wouldn't contaminate this spirit.
A puppy class was one of the conditions of purchase. We went, but we didn't participate -- we just watched. I'm not discounting that he may have learned something, but I made sure he knew the only thing I expected from him was his outlook on life. He's going on three now, and to this day he doesn't 'heal', 'shake a paw', 'roll over', 'speak' or do any tricks, he just brings us joy.
He continued to show us, "The whole world is a playground. All living things are playmates, everything else is a toy", then at about 10 months he told us he wanted to be a Therapy Dog. This Therapy dog thing was totally against my nature, but I had made a commitment to have Merlin show me the way, so I acquiesced.
We got in touch with a local group from Therapy Dogs Inc. but they said he'd have to wait until he was at least one year old to be tested/evaluated. I was/am still opposed to any formal training so I told Merlin I didn't think things would work out.
The girl from Therapy Dogs Inc. called just after Merlin's first birthday and set up an appointment to see if Merlin could meet the Therapy Dog Inc. standards. I guess Merlin knew what was on the line because he passed with flying colors. Since then we've done over 150 visits to hospitals, nursing homes, churches and schools.
I'm retired so Merlin and I are together 24/7. He knows when I'm happy with him because I enthusiastically declare "GOOD BOY!" after a behavior or suggestion. There are no treats or threats or repetition. He doesn't have to be a "Good Boy" and he knows it. Of course he always wants to go for a walk, or chase the tennis ball, but sometimes he might not want to get out of the car and go into the house when we get home - so I hook the carport leash on him and leave the car door open until he barks to come in. Or he may not come when I call to him because he has some important sniffing to do, so I just wait and he eventually comes. On the leash for a walk around the neighborhood he'll slow to a stop and sit, maybe even lie down. I call it smelling the roses...we just wait until he's ready to go again - I have smelled roses on those walks I never knew existed. He does this on errands too, voluntarily sitting in front of PetsMart, or Home Depot or Lowe's after we exit the store...he waits for a passerby to notice him. If the person looks at him like they'd like to approach, he gets up and welcomes the petting. If I'm at the computer and he 'wet noses' my elbow -- we go for a walk or I chase him around the house on my hands and knees. If I'm in the shop, totally immersed in a project and he looks up at me and whimpers in anticipation, we go for a walk or wrestle in the yard.
Merlin has taught me how to really enjoy life. It's not complicated, I just follow his lead.
Excellent. Makes me want to own a "Merlin".
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