Fredericksburg.com - SCHOOL DAYS FOR DOGS 'FIDOS AFTER 5': Thursday, Sept. 11, 5-9 p.m., Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. The Richmond SPCA hosts owners and their leashed pets to stroll the gardens and enjoy wine-tasting, music, dining and shopping; 804/262-9887, lewisginter.org.
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Miss Vivian Goldman, owned by Reta and Jan Goldman of Stafford County, visits her friend Alivia at Dog Krazy in Fredericksburg to try on back-to-school collars.
Reta Goldman

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SCHOOL DAYS FOR DOGS 'FIDOS AFTER 5': Thursday, Sept. 11, 5-9 p.m., Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. The Richmond SPCA hosts owners and their leashed pets to stroll the gardens and enjoy wine-tasting, music, dining and shopping; 804/262-9887, lewisginter.org.
Obedience school students learn straight from the dog's mouth. By Sarah A. Ferrell;
Date published: 9/6/2008

YOU MEET the nicest dogs at obedience school. Tiny pups step carefully into the training room with wide eyes that say: " Teach me! My curious brain is an unwritten book." Adolescent dogs stride in, comporting themselves with the confidence and brashness that only teenagers can demonstrate. Body language declares: " How strong I am! Have you seen anyone who can pull on a leash like I can? Let me show you other dogs how to take charge of your human!"

Miss Vivian Goldman arrived at class with "Honor Roll Student" shining from her watchful expression and in her "eyes-on-mother" stance. Vivian is a blue roan English cocker spaniel bred by Winfree English Cockers (winfreeenglishcockers.com) in Gloucester. Her trainer-mother, Reta Goldman of Stafford County, held Vivian on a short, loose leash, looking down with proud smiles and pats on Vivian's attentive head.

An obedience teacher immediately feels the "we-are-a-team" glow of a canine-human pair who work together with the grace and concentration of soul mates. The very best days at dog class happen when a teacher looks into the face of a new dog and thinks, "This one has something to teach me."

ASKING VIVIAN

Question: Many dogs as calm as you would not come to obedience class. Why did you sign up for school?

Vivian: My parents wanted me to have a foundation of good dog skills: watch mom, sit-stay, down-stay, walk on a loose leash, don't jump on humans, wait for commands when in unfamiliar surroundings and pay attention to the adult humans all the time.


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Date published: 9/6/2008



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