Our Busy Little World
Apr. 23, 2008 - Doggie Homeschool and Rent A Dog
Recently we had another one of those days at the park. I'm sure we all have a different definition of those days, but for us it meant that I took all the girls to a park and there happened to be a dog there. No matter if the dog was on a leash and not really that close to us. You should have heard the wailing that ensued! If I've failed to mention this, I had three little girls who were terrified of dogs, one big girl who loves them (interestingly the only one of our girls who was around when we had a dog) and a baby who doesn't think much more of them than perhaps, "hmm, that's a gooey sort of kiss". Hannah at least has pretty good reason for her fear, and even if she didn't she's good at inventing reasons. Naomi and Juliette just have fear! After trying to console, calm, bribe, and threaten, and finally plopping the wailers on a park bench (whatever it took to stop the hysterics!), I came home and told Matt I was quite certain we needed a dog! I didn't really care if I wanted a dog (although many days I think I do), I didn't try to remind myself we may not have the time for a dog around here (pish, posh), and didn't think at all about doggy potty on the floor (our dog would be perfect!). All I could think was "I must be able to take my girls to the park, where there is ALWAYS a dog!" And the fact that I wouldn't have to vaccuum under the lunch table was nice, too.
Well, as my husband wisely reminded me, until we actually have a fence around our property we can't get a dog. So I invented doggie-homeschool. We have some friends who happen to teach a dog handling class by a park near our home. So with their kind permission, every Wednesday evening we put dinner in to cook late, and we head to the park for just a few minutes. Then it's on to doggie school. Oh, this has been such a delight! I made the rule that no matter how afraid anyone felt, no one was allowed to cry! They can stick by me like glue, clutching my hand, but they can't wail! Then we asked if the class minded us dropping in each week for fifteen minutes. Thankfully, as we are trying to train our children not to be terrified of dogs (wise, yes, but not terrified), many of these people are trying to train their dogs not to be afraid of little children, so it works quite nicely. I'm happy to report that a month into it, I officially have two big girls who LOVE dogs (Hannah being one of them!), two small girls who tolerate dogs, and one baby who still thinks no more than "hmm, that's gooey". Daddy got to come today and see Hannah and Isabelle "train" their favorite dog. The dog's kind owner lets the girls lead her around on leash, feed her, and tell her to sit. These dogs really tower over the girls, so it's pretty funny to see Hannah saying "Kalina, sit, noooooo, sit, noooooo SIT, hmmm, oh, you laid down, good girl . . . . Mommy, I TRAINED her!"
Today this wonderful lady managed more than I thought was possible and had Naomi leading the dog on leash. Nao kept dropping the leash, and the lady would say "Pick it up, or she'll run off" - all I could think was "I'm sure that's what she's hoping for!" But she did it, she was so brave! And Juliette wanted to try, but without help (this is the girl who says little more nowadays than "I do it myself"), so she stood there, looked this dog in the eye and said (in a cute and stern voice) "Doggie, walk! No, no, walk doggie! Doggie walk!" We finally convinced her she'd have better luck if she started walking!
Our next step is borrowing a dog for a week. We're really looking forward to seeing how that goes, but hopefully by the end we shall have no trouble visiting any park we'd like to! Isn't homeschooling great? Who ever heard of doggie school electives otherwise!
Comments
Apr. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by heidi watters
great idea! way to be proactive! thanks for your call the other day, we were at the park. then 3 of us got the stomachh flu:( so yeah, i appreciate your thoughtfullness!
Apr. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
What a great idea. Non of my kiddos are afraid of dogs, but then we have one. I love all of the options that homeschooling allows.
Blessings,
Dawn
