Thank you for the warm welcome. I must admit, I was skeptical about posting knowing Trinket is just a mutt (though sometimes they're the best pets of all!).
Trinket (aka: Krinket - by my 2yo, and Stinket - by my husband) is about 20 months old. She is a hilarious dog with SO many expressions. She is quick and spunky but also tolerant and sweet. I taught her to roll over in just a few hours, and she responds to many hand signals and snaps - like I said before she's really intuitive - it's very neat! There's just one thing I can't stand about her...she gets so excited when she meets people and she licks and jumps up. It's like she can't help herself - she licks hands, faces, feet...anything she can get her tongue on. Even when I try to correct her...it's no use unless I actually get down and hold her mouth closed with a low growl noooooooooooo. Then it hurts her feelings and the person says, "Ohhhhhhh it's ok" - - then Trinket gets excited and starts all over again! Some of this must be due to her young age, but it really drives me crazy that she jumps up and licks every single person we see. She even does it when she's on her leash. Other than that, she is well-behaved and listens to commands.
My current goal is teaching her to ask to go outside. We let her out every few hours but once in a while she has an accident (with poop only). I'm positive if she knew how to ask, this wouldn't happen again. We're moving into our brand new house and I'm worried about occasional accidents. How do I teach her to ask - with a scratch, or a bell, or some other signal???
Thank for reading
Nicole