In dog-training-speak, proofing is getting consistency performing a command in all kinds of interesting circumstances. It’s a necessary thing to have your dog be solid at to be a good doggie citizen.
Found a whole tree worth of petals on our afternoon walk today, and practiced our down. Someone doesn’t look too enthralled (or maybe he’s moping about the fact that his favorite ducks were nowhere to be found):
I like the idea of proofing. I need to translate the doggie version to the people version. I need my reasonable side to trump my nagging, irrational side. So, as I proof my dog I am vowing to proof myself, too.
Proofing the nearly-perfect under at Peet’s (except those front legs – he likes to stretch!)
Natalie Abbott 