[OldPossum]

Re your post 9, that’s a good idea.

[Salamander]

It came about with my second Dobermann.

I wanted to be able to work him without revealing my presence.

Turned out to be a just generally handy thing, especially when I had several dogs reach extreme old age.

Little kids still think it’s “magic” when my dogs do tricks, seemingly of their own accord.

Another fun thing was the “pointer method” where you use a stick to direct the dog.

Eventually the dog reacts to *any* “stick” and I’ve used a pencil like a “magic wand” to direct their actions.

Kids really dig that, too.
:)