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Post by Kristofor on Mar 29, 2021 22:21:03 GMT -6
Ready? When he'd finished eating his treat, I give him the signal to stay put, and backed off across the stage. It wasn't Dawson's favorite thing to do, clearly. He wiggled a bit, shifting his posture... "No..." I repeated the stay motion as I felt my footpad reach the edge of the stage to stop. Now. With another crouch, I signal for him to come, and with all the eagerness of wanting to be near, bounded nearly into me. He got some jerky for that, a brief pat on the head. Do what now? Looking up at me, he tilts his head in a curious form, because he wants to go and smell the stage. The other houlou do catch his attention, as he'd never met another before. But it was working time now. Patting my thigh, I get him to follow me around the stage. One lap, two laps, and I turn around to face him. He stops, and sits when my paw comes up past his nose. Very good. Here's another treat. [Stay, no, follow, sit (repeat), all nonverbal but no]
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Post by Kristofor on Mar 29, 2021 22:36:29 GMT -6
I crouch down on one knee, giving him a through rubbing around his chin and neck. A few people around me laugh when his leg starts doing the rabbit tap of how much he likes the scratching. Maybe I should use a longer brush there... Picking up one of his paws, I put it in my own, holding it there. Dawson' doesn't quite understand what I'm up to, but he watches me manipulate his paws a bit, spreading the toes. His paw looks much smaller in my own. Finally releasing it, I take his other paw, and repeat the gesture. He leans forward and licks my nose. Blech! The shorter fur on the back of my neck stands on end briefly in surprise, the houlou's tail wagging happily. Friend fox! Friend fox surprise? Finally I look at the important space of the area, the table with the ribbons and such attached. "Finally, I've taught Dawson to manage to get loose if he's ever caught by a predator for any reason. I do not own any predators at this moment, but I want to be prepared in case." It would frighten humans if I showed off trying to get him loose like a mother fox carrying her kits, so I instead hug Dawson around the middle, taking very careful hold of his fur with just enough to pull. A moment passes before Dawson, now much bigger then previously trying this, has to pull backwards and step out of my circular grip, leaving a small handful of loose fur in my hand as he backs off, shaking himself and getting a treat. "Thank you." Taking a bow, I motion for Dawson to sit and reattached his collar before exiting the stage. It feels like a weight off my chest. Just a little. [Tolerance, Loosen Fur, and sit (repeat), kiss is not on command] -end
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 13:54:50 GMT -6
Briar watched the other handlers walk on with their entries. These were better trained hounds than Joker; he didn’t expect to win, by any means. But they had come here and taken the pains to sign themselves up, and while Joker would never be a show-stopping champion with what he knew now, at least they wouldn’t embarrass themselves either… or so Briar hoped. Well, there was something to be said for not being particularly memorable too. Their turn was coming up, for better or for worse, and Briar checked to see that Joker was ready. His lead was clipped on, and he looked reasonably neat, not to mention bright-eyed and eager to go. He wasn't quite so brassy and brazen as Lyra, but he was a friendly enough personality, and if that managed to shine through, he was sure to win some over in the audience, if not the judging panel. (Female Orbaru please)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 13:59:36 GMT -6
Here went nothing. Briar signaled for Joker to follow him at heel, then walked out into the ring. True to his training, Joker stayed right beside him, not a foot out of place - though he was also having a look around, taking in his surroundings. Briar monitored him carefully for any signs of unease or discomfort, but Joker was the most relaxed out of the Houluh in Briar's care, and the prospect of performing in front of a crowd didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. In fact, he even seemed to be enjoying the idea of having an audience.
Well, it definitely made things easier on Briar if Joker liked the attention. Better this than to have his companion anxious with nerves and unable to heed the commands. Briar himself wasn't so comfortable under scrutiny, but at least his face was covered, even if there was nothing he could do about his own stature.
(Joker demonstrates Heel on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 14:04:09 GMT -6
There was a precedent of making an introduction for both himself and his dog. Briar wished he could dispense with it; he didn't even know how many of those present would understand him when he made his introduction. Knowledge of sign language wasn't as widespread as he would have hoped, which was pretty inconvenient.
Still, the judges would likely understand, and he had a suspicion that this was as much for them as it was for the audience. And so when they arrived at the center of the show ring, he gave Joker the command to sit. Joker sat, looking very neat. Brushed down and glossy, his eye-catching black and white coat looked almost like formal wear. Briar then stood there and dutifully signed off his introduction: -I'm Briar. This is SMT Take Your Heart. We'll be showing you some basic tricks today.- Simple and to the point, no frills whatsoever.
(Joker demonstrates Sit on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 14:49:42 GMT -6
But then, there was no point in trying to be fancy with it. The audience probably wouldn't understand, and he didn't want to waste the judges' time... Besides which, Briar himself wasn't much of a showman anyway.
Now they just had to go through a routine, or as much of one as Briar could muster, anyway. He hadn't been lying when he said it would be just a showcase of basic tricks, since Joker hadn't learned anything else just yet. Maybe someday they would have something more impressive and involved, but for now Briar could only show what Joker knew.
Briar set a treat on Joker's nose, and gave him the hand signal not to eat it. Joker's eyes went immediately to the treat, and he went perfectly still, managing to balance it on his nose. The balancing wasn't a trick he knew, and he couldn't always do it, but on this occasion luck was on their side.
(Joker demonstrates Don't Eat That on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 14:59:45 GMT -6
Briar didn't think it would disqualify them if the treat fell off, but it certainly wouldn't have looked professional, or nearly as impressive. But the presence of the audience had evidently sharpened Joker's focus, and he managed the balancing act.
Still, Briar knew better than to let it go on too long. Joker only had so much self control, and he wasn't here to torment the poor dog. He gave the hand signal to release Joker from the command, and at once Joker dropped and then ate the treat, tail wagging wildly to release all the energy that he had been holding in for the duration of the command.
They were off to a pretty good start, by Briar's standards. Everything else they had to get through was pretty bland, and so the hard part was over with. Some of the tension left Briar's posture with that, though he couldn't really be called relaxed.
(Joker demonstrates At Ease on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 15:06:31 GMT -6
They were still in public, and still putting on something like a performance, so Briar couldn't be entirely comfortable. But at least the rest was easy, and he didn't think there was much room for them to get tripped up anymore, which was some consolation.
He gave Joker the command to lay down next, which wasn't really what Joker wanted to do. He'd had to hold still just now, and it was clear that he wanted to be moving around again, rather than staying still some more right after that. But Briar had trained him reasonably well, and Joker liked Briar enough to want to listen to him, even if the command wasn't necessarily something he wanted to do. He laid down, though he was a little slow to do it, maintaining eye contact with Briar the entire time, presumably to watch and wait for the command that would release him.
(Joker demonstrates Lay Down on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 15:15:05 GMT -6
His relief wasn't to come immediately, however, as the next command that Briar gave him was to ask him to stay. He had to set it up so that they could demonstrate the 'come' command later, which they couldn't do if Joker was still at Briar's side. Joker watched the hand signal and did as Briar instructed, while Briar took the opportunity to back away, one step at a time. The wagging of Joker's tail betrayed his desire to move, thumping a steady rhythm against the ground. Briar caught his rump coming back up, and quickly issued a command for 'no', checking him just in time. Joker froze, though Briar figured he wasn't going to be able to contain himself too much longer.
Maybe with a bit more training, Briar could enter him in an agility show or something later on. He certainly seemed to have the energy for it.
(Joker demonstrates Stay and No on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 15:32:49 GMT -6
For now though, they were in a competition to demonstrate... cleverness, and the only way Briar could think to do it was just to show the judges everything Joker knew.
Finally, the time had come to release Joker from his 'stay' command. Making sure Joker was watching him, Briar gave him the signal for 'come', and Joker was on his feet and dashing toward Briar almost before he could complete the proper hand signals. Briar stood in place, but it was definitely a little daunting to be charged at, even if it was by his own Houluh, whom he knew wouldn't have harmed him, and was just a little too excited. Joker skidded as he reached Briar's side, then danced around him in a full circle before Briar managed to give him the signal to sit once more. Joker sat, having worked out the worst of his wiggles with that short run.
(Joker demonstrates Come on command and repeats Sit on command)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 15:36:58 GMT -6
The thing Briar wanted to demonstrate next wasn't really a command or even a particularly brainy trick, but... Well, Joker knew it, and Briar thought it was best to showcase everything that Joker knew, at this point. And so while Joker was sitting relatively politely, Briar patted him down. Joker wasn't bothered at all about it, and was even happy to receive the pats. Then, moving on, Briar picked up one front paw and then another. This was less pleasant than the pats, but Joker was neutral about it, and allowed Briar to manipulate his limbs without any fuss. They had done this plenty of times before, so he was used to it by now.
And then, in a final and more daring act of nuisance tolerance, Briar eased Joker's mouth open. Joker wasn't so keen on this, but he knew his manners enough not to flail around or bite Briar for it.
(Joker demonstrates Tolerance and No Bites)
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Post by Briar on Apr 1, 2021 15:41:17 GMT -6
But seeing as it wasn't a particularly pleasant thing for them to demonstrate, as soon as Briar felt that it had been sufficiently... demonstrated, he let Joker go. Joker got to his feet and shook himself off, as if to rid himself of the unpleasant sensation.
Briar stood next to him and took a short, stiff bow. Then he signaled Joker's name to get the Houluh's attention, and gave him the command to heel, and the two of them took another turn about the show ring before walking off to the preparation area once more.
All in all, it wasn't too bad. Nothing especially untoward had happened, even if there had been a hiccup in the middle. And now they just had to wait for the contest to wrap up, and the scores to be released, and that would be the end of the show for the two of them.
(Joker demonstrates Name on command) (end)
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Post by Kadin on Apr 2, 2021 21:33:50 GMT -6
Kadin made his way to the contest hall, Elk with him. Elk had only just grown recently, but Kadin was excited to have him in the salonne today and to try out the things that he'd learned so far. He'd set up a few things beforehand in the arena, too, since some of his tricks were a bit difficult to demonstrate in a normal setting. He and the houluh made their way into the hall, looking around to make sure that everything they needed was set up. With a nod of his head, Kadin looked to Elk and said, "Ready, Elk?"
The houluh looked up at the sound of his name and wagged his tail. "Good." Kadin said with a slight smile, ready to get this routine going. They had a lot to show off and he was ready to make it happen, the only question was what to start with first.
[name]
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Post by Kadin on Apr 2, 2021 21:44:29 GMT -6
Of course, it was always best to stay with the basics. Kadin looked at Elk and nodded to himself, figuring that his best bet would be to start with Elk staying here for a moment so that they could then demonstrate the stay and come command. So he decided that was what they were going to do first. He told Elk to, "Stay!" and then walked further into the arena. There were all sorts of things set up for later tricks, but hopefully Elk wouldn't get distracted by them when Kadin finally gave the come command. Kadin walked to about the middle of the arena, or as close as he could tell was the middle, before turning around to look at Elk. He let him stay for a moment, holding the command, and making sure that he knew what he was supposed to do. This was a good demonstration for the crowd.
[stay]
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Post by Kadin on Apr 2, 2021 21:47:25 GMT -6
Kadin had Elk stay for a little while longer to make sure that everyone could see that he was properly holding the command. He wanted to have Elk demonstrate that he knew how to stay. After some time had passed, Kadin finally decided to break the stay command. "Good, Elk!" He called. "Come!" He said next, still sticking with the basics for now with a simple come.
Elk looked up at the sounds Kadin main. He barked in joy at the command, tail wagging as he trotted quickly over to where Kadin was waiting for him. He walked all the way over to his human before sitting down in front of him, tail still wagging about it. He sat down, even though he wasn't told to, tail still wagging. "Good!" Kadin said, giving Elk a pat on the head for coming when he was called. Now it was time for something more interesting!
[come]
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