Intro to Bandit (originally posted on MySpace 07/10/2007)

The "Mother's Curse" found me after all. You know the one--all Mother's curse their offspring with it when they are totally frustrated: "I hope your children are 'just like you'!" Yep. It found me when my (then) 2 year old Chinese Crested and I took an Agility class a couple of years ago. (Think doggie obsticle course.) Since I have no kidos of my own, I thought I had successfully dodged the "Mommy Curse." But it found me--thanks to the aforementioned teenager--"Bandit."

Some days Bandit LOVED class and would do just about anything I asked him to do. Other days he had a mind of his own (two years later, he still is quite stubborn). Such was the case the night I realized the "Mother Curse" had finally found me. Before class, Bandit went through the "chute" (barrel with a collapsed tarp "windsock" attached). Not only did he go through it, he did it perfectly. I was so pleased! I got all puffed-up and "mama-proud." Bandit was going to rock! This was HUGE--our first class his tail was tucked between his hind legs until the very last thing we did. He was so timid and shy. So there I was, proud Mama, gonna show off--and what did my little precious do? He sat. He refused to budge. Not for anything. Not for his favorite smelly treat. Not for a toy. Not for praise. Nada!

This was not just passive-aggressive, it was PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE to the max! You see, Bandit is somewhat "prissy"--he refuses to sit or lie down in the dirt or on the grass without a physical struggle. By-the-way, If Bandit is any indication, 15 pound dogs can be very strong (as well as strong-willed)!

So,there we were--Bandit was performing well and I was in show-off mode. I gave the "chute" command and Bandit executed it (not as well as before class, but I was still feeling pretty good about our progress). Then we went to the tire jump (a tire/ring/hoop suspended by a couple of chains) and I gave the "tire" command. Bandit "anointed" it mid-stream (pun intended--it's kind of hard to pee mid-jump, but the Bald Boy's got talent). I stopped laughing long enough to grab the "OdoBan" (scent neutralizer in which I should have stock--as often as I clear out the shelves at WalMart). I proceeded to clean the tire. (I also reguiarly cleaned the tunnel, the jump, the barn door, the...you name it--when Bandit and I were taking the class, the obstacles were the cleanest in Texas). When we arrived at a regular jump (bar jump, 8-12 inches high). I gave the "over" command, and my beloved teen promptly sat--in the dirt! Then he proceeded to look at me with the most haughty look a bald dog with Don King Hair can muster. He actually smiled at me, and I CLEARLY heard him say, "Aint gonna happen, and you can't make me!" And I didn't. Yep, the "Mother Curse" finally caught up with me that night!

When I told my Mama--she roared with laughter! Quite frankly, I failed to see the humor. But growing up I also learned something from my Mama--perseverance.

Bandit now sits and lies down on comand--even outside in the dirt/on the grass (well, most of the time anyway)! We're still working on his tendency to pee-on-the-fly.