Dog Star by Katy Cannon

Author:Katy Cannon [Katy Cannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781847155719
Publisher: Stripes Publishing
Published: 2014-03-20T16:00:00+00:00

“Don’t worry, Kim,” Abi said. “We’re not doing anything we shouldn’t be. We’re just going to go and get Pickle and Lulu ready for this afternoon.”

Kim didn’t look convinced. “Well just make sure that whatever you’re doing, you tidy up after yourselves.”

“We will,” Abi and Polly said at the same time. Then they laughed as they set off towards the training room, with Pickle and Lulu close behind.

This was going to be the best surprise Mr Francis had ever had!

The training room was empty, just as Abi had known it would be. Everyone was far too busy getting ready for the photo shoot, and there were no other dogs at the parlour today except for Hugo. Not until the dog stars arrived, anyway.

“So, what do we do?” Polly asked, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “I’ve only ever done training in classes, or with the handlers on film sets.”

“It’s pretty much the same thing,” Abi said as she pulled her book out of her rucksack and set it on the floor between them. “Except we’re the teachers. My mum gave me this book when I got Lulu. There are some really good tricks in it. I think we should start by getting Pickle and Lulu to shake hands with us, then maybe we can work up to a high five. Or even train them to wave on command!”

The girls leaned over the book, reading the instructions, while Lulu and Pickle nosed their way in, snuffling at the pages.

“So, first we need treats?” Polly asked, when she’d finished reading.

Abi nodded. “And luckily, I know just where Aunt Tiffany keeps them!”

“Won’t she mind?” Polly looked a little nervous, but Abi quickly reassured her.

“Not at all. She told me that I could use this room – and the rewards – whenever I wanted to practise with Lulu.”

Polly’s face brightened. “Oh good. My dad would never let Pickle be in the film if we got in trouble with your aunt!”

Abi crossed the room and opened the special cupboard where Aunt Tiffany kept all the doggy treats. She picked up the biggest bag she could find. She’d watched some training videos on Aunt Tiffany’s laptop after dinner last night, and the trainers all used an awful lot of biscuits!

“OK,” Abi said, setting down the bag of treats on a table that was just high enough that the dogs couldn’t reach it. “Here’s the plan. I’ll do the movement with Lulu first, then you can follow and do the same with Pickle.”

Polly nodded enthusiastically. “Let’s get started!”

“First we hold out a treat for them to smell.” Abi put a biscuit in the palm of her hand, covered it with her thumb, and held it out to Lulu. The treats Aunt Tiffany used for training were small but chewy – she said that was so the dogs didn’t eat too many, or eat them too quickly.

Lulu nuzzled against her hand, trying to get at the treat, but Abi held it just out of reach.

“This is how we taught Pickle other commands,” Polly said, holding a treat out to Pickle.

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