The night before the first day of school is probably much the same for all first-time students: a bath, a shampoo and reassurances from Mom and Dad that all will be well.

Except there is a difference.

This time, school supplies include a new leash and a collar.

The new student is my dog Coco, a Yorkie mix, and she’s heading off to puppy school, or more officially a six-week Great Falls Dog Obedience Club course taught by veteran dog trainer Diane Harrington.

Much as they’d like to think they do, owners really don’t know what is on their dog’s mind – although Harrington says she can tell. Here’s my interpretation of Coco’s quizzical looks and shaking as we fussed over her the night before class.

“Why are my otherwise sane owners dipping me into a tub of water and scrubbing me with bubbles and addressing me in high-pitched voices, telling me I will look so cute? I want out! Oh, what’s that? A new collar? And I’m supposed to be excited because it’s pink?!”

Now, I’m not the type of owner to subject my pooch to doggie attire. My husband, Jose, and I want nothing that would detract from Coco’s “canine-ness.” After all, she is a dog. But allow me one simple indulgence into doggie fashion du jour. So, a pink collar it is.

Doggie class #1

On the first night of class, Coco starts to tremble as we enter the large room. She remains in my arms, all 5 pounds of her. She looks around, and I wonder if she is as fearful of the myriad dogs as I am. As a child, my palms would sweat if I heard a dog bark. That’s because I was bitten by an out-of-control big, black dog. Coco and I are confronted with dogs of all kinds and sizes, and yes, a few black ones.

There is a pug, almost her size. A golden retriever makes advances, with Coco now on the floor. And then Coco spots him … the beagle. She wiggles, wags her tail and sniffs all around, unafraid. His name is Wilson.

Class begins with a lesson on the heel command, something dogs do not do naturally. We are instructed to walk forward, holding the leash loosely with our left hand, and the rest of the leash folded in the right. We are to praise our dog, walk naturally and pull (or snap) the leash while giving the heel command. This is very basic and something we practiced prior to the class. After all, I want Coco to shine.

Next, comes a part Coco isn’t prepared for – the “sit” command. Coco resists both the command and the correction. But all in all, the first night ends successfully with a plan of practice for 10 minutes twice a day. Then comes the quintessential reward – yummy ice cream.

Doggie class #2

Coco and I head off to our second class. We did our homework and practiced, but not as much as we were told. (I suppose saying, “The dog ate my homework” would not quite fit, but it WAS a rainy week) Still, I think Coco has done well practicing and I am confident she will do well in class.

She shakes again when greeted by the giant wolfhound, a German shepherd, a boxer, a collie and then her friends: Coivu the pug, Wilson the beagle and Penny the retriever. She meets a new friend, Tiki the toy poodle. (Finally someone her size.)

Class begins with a review of last week’s lessons and then comes the U-turn, a new challenge Coco meets with ease and grace. But success is shortlived. She resists the command to sit and to stay. She balks, gets up and turns her head to play, rather than stay. Clearly, she doesn’t get the message. Snap. Still no cooperation. Harrington offers help and gets Coco to comply. My turn again. Nope. Coco won’t do it. Hey, who’s training whom?

The challenge with a small dog is that some of the moves require the owner to be in control of the leash and the dog’s collar at the same time. When the dog is less than 10 inches off the floor, that presents a problem. Thus, I am relegated to a small table on which to practice the sit and stay and down exercises. Coco is even less motivated to practice her moves on a pedestal. She bites the leash and scampers in circles, winding her leash about her so that she nearly chokes herself. I persist. Once, twice, success at last. “Good, Coco, good doggie!” The praise is profuse. Harrington says dogs live to please their owner, so praise must accompany every correct behavior.

Doggie class #3

Our homework for the past week has been the sit-and-stay command. For extra credit, I think we can add the directive to come. As I pull on her leash, I am to say “come” cheerfully. Unfortunately, Coco may need what is now being referred to in educational circles as “intervention.” When a student is having difficulty, teachers come up with a specific plan to help him or her learn. For Coco, that “intervention” is cheese. Some may say bribery is what I offered; but it doesn’t really matter. Turns out Coco doesn’t like cheese as much as I thought. Maybe ice cream will do the trick.

Doggie class #4

Coco is coming along. In fact, the instructor says she has done very well and she gets some special attention. Harrington uses her to demonstrate the command to come and then return to her owner’s side. But Coco apparently remembers the “down” lesson of a few weeks prior. She crouches in a perfect “down” position. The class is amused at this pint-sized canine cowering and shivering. All ends well, however as Harrington praises and pets Coco, regaining her trust.

Doggie class #5

One of our last lessons is the “figure 8,” which helps the owner and dog navigate tight spots with precision and accuracy. After all, we don’t always walk in wide-open spaces. We all receive praise and a bit of an assessment of our skills in heeling and switching directions. Coco does well, I think. But the class chuckles as Harrington stops me mid-stride. “Linda, you might not know your own strength. Coco is a little dog. Did you know that when your do your right turns, Coco comes flying off the floor? You need to be gentle in your snaps when you pull her right.” Ooops.

Doggie class #6

Ah, graduation night. We review all the lessons, with Harrington reminding us to keep practicing with our dogs. Holding a fistful of doggie diplomas, she has us line up. She recognizes Magwa, the wolfhound-huskie mix, as the Most Improved. Then, one by one, we receive our diplomas along with a dog bone treat.

It didn’t take long for the obedience classes to pay off.

Coco got away from me in our backyard and ran over to investigate the neighbor’s new hostas. Knowing the front yard and street were but a few feet away, I called, “Coco, come.” She stayed put and pranced around as if to tease. I firmly called out, “Down!” And there it was – a perfect down followed by a perfect stay and, of course, lots of praise.

Perhaps it’s off to the gifted-and-talented, er, advanced class we go this summer.