The Secret Dog Training Academy in My Kitchen

This morning I walked into the kitchen expecting to find the usual chaos - maybe Theo eating cereal straight from the box or Biscuit stealing whatever fell on the floor. Instead, I witnessed what can only be described as a professional dog training demonstration.

The Secret Dog Training Academy in My Kitchen

shows the exact moment I realized my 10-year-old has apparently been running a secret canine academy behind my back.

Theo had Biscuit going through an entire routine - sit, stay, roll over, play dead, and the piece de resistance, a perfect handshake.

The reward system in action

captures the reward system in action, and honestly, it’s more organized than any training method I’ve ever attempted. The kid has been holding out on us!

Academy graduation performance

shows Biscuit’s Oscar-worthy ‘play dead’ performance, and I’m pretty sure he was enjoying the audience.

The professional handshake

gets the technical details - apparently Theo’s been practicing the ‘shake’ command daily, and Biscuit’s form is impeccable. Meanwhile, I can barely get this dog to come when I call his name, and here’s my fourth-grader running what’s essentially obedience school in our kitchen. I’m equally impressed and slightly offended that neither of them thought to include me in their training sessions.