:: training Olive ::

 meet Phoebe's dog, Olive - a Shih-Tzu - whom Phoebe loves and adores and also has the unenviable task (since she is her mistress!) of training!

 the weekend before last we had beautiful weather and some friends come to stay, one of whom is an expert dog-trainer!

 Since Olive has huge potential for training (read: needs lots more training, since she is still a puppy) it was agreed a lesson was in order...

 Phoebe learnt a new technique for letting Olive know a)who's in charge and b)I'm not happy with that behaviour, Olive

 There was also the method of using a stick (not as any form of punishment!!) as an extension of the trainer's arm, allowing control over the dog at a greater distance - eg - commanding 'sit' and 'stay' and being able to walk further away from Olive, while she thinks Phoebe is right next to her - the stick is part of the trainer = genius.

soon Olive was trotting along pretty happily on the lead, much to the delight of us all :).  Thank you so much, John - much appreciated.