In the event that some new humans need to interact with Amici we have compiled a list of things he knows to be true and regular.

Amici is most kind but sometimes clumsy. He uses paws while playing and his tail whip makes thunder and creates lightening.

Excessive licking of humans under protest is his character flaw. Stop (or at least deter) with a quick “shh” and lack of reaction.

Yesss (quick, short and loud)
Positive words for Amici are “good” “good boy” and “YESSSH”. If you want him to continue paying short-term attention to you, “gooooood” or “good boy” said slowly. “Yessh” is as good and as tasty as a dog treat. He will know he has done job and is no longer required to be great on demand.

“SHH” or “CHT”
Amici’s negative training cue is a quick “Shhh” like a choo-choo train that sneezed. This stands in place for “No”. This is important because a full grown daddy voiced “No” is way different than an 8 year old girl “No”. Consistency is clutch.

SHHHHHHHHHH or “Easy easy easy”
We also have a submission cue to get him to stop and lie down now matter what is going on. A long hissing “SHHHHHHHHHH”. If ruff-housing get too rough, if he’s wrestling another dog, if he happened to get turkey leg or he’s chasing a cat if he hears a shhhh, he will roll over and wait.

Drop
He will “Drop” something in his mouth that you’d like him “to not to.”

Leave It
If he’s trying to take something from you (or vice versa) you can say “Leave it” – it is important to not move while saying leave it to enforce that you’re not playing.

Sit
Amici likes to sit, but he has added a clever flair of doing it as sloooowly as possible. The key is never give “More than one sit command” for “Less than one sit”

Down
Lay down on the ground as low and slow as possible. The “slow as possible” part is a complete Amici invention.

Heel
Amici will get close to the left side of a human.

Follow
Mostly, Amici likes to be in front of everyone, all the time. For short periods of time he can “follow”

Bout’ to drop an album

Dexter caught this little coyote snacking in broad daylight

Throwback to when we were expert parents of toddlers and could pass that kid blindfolded for hours without dropping the ball.