DENVER -- July 13, 2007

Dear Labby,

Hudson told me you that I write to you if I have questions. Boy, do I have questions!

What is it with the "OFF" command? The keeper dogs and cats never hear "OFF!" and I hear it constantly.

And what's the big deal about "SIT?" It used to be good enough for Marianne that I sat when she told me to, but now she keeps poking and rearranging me. Why is she doing that?

Finally, I am getting more food for breakfast and dinner, but lunch seems to be a thing of the past. Hey, I'm a Lab -- Hello! Will work for kibble!

I'm so confused.

Chow for now! Parker

Dear Parker,

Oh, to be a 5-month-old puppy again -- I well-remember your angst, especially about food.

Oh, silly puppy! Sitting on the couch is allowed for keepers, not puppies in training. That's why you are told "OFF!" and they are not. Now, this doesn't mean you will never get to sit on the on the couch or the bed. But that's up to your graduate partner, not you.

Here's why: your partner may have a condition that makes her body fragile, and big old goofy Parker jumping on the bed might do more harm than good.

You will have to learn to get up GENTLY if you are allowed to snuggle on the bed or the couch, and not launch yourself like a missle from across the room! HA -- you think I don't remember what it's like to have the Puppy Zips? I heard about the incident with the full coffee cup, the very surprised cat, and the drenched couch.

As for "SIT," the fact that you do it on command is fine, in fact it's great! It's your position that needs work. Remember, you're learning to be a service dog, so where you sit is as important as sitting on command. Oh, and you need to sit the FIRST time you hear the command, not the fourth time. The command is SIT, not SIT SIT SIT SIT. Teenage stubborness is not cool.

When I talk about position, I mean that Marianne wants you to sit next to her, with your ear flap right next to her leg. The only exception is when you learn "FRONT," which means sit facing Marianne, directly in front of her. Being in the right position will be helpful later on when you learn "SIDE" and "HEEL," and also in Advanced Training when you learn *fancy* commands.

Food is a topic unto itself. We'll talk about it next week!

Love, Labby

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to call7forhelp@thedenverchannel.com.

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or perhaps you'd like to be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to www.cci.org for details.