Taking Axle for a Walk

Yesterday afternoon, I went outside and gave Axle a treat. Something I do every time I see him. I knew he had figured out the word 'walk,' so if he was nearby and I was talking with Jennifer about taking Axle for a walk, I would use another word, like 'adventure.' That way, if the walk had to wait, he would not get excited about going out only to have to wait. So, back to yesterday, I gave him a treat as I came out the back door of the house. As he started to eat the treat, I said, "Axle, do you want to go on a walk?" He stopped chewing, dropped his lower jaw, and let the treat fall out of his mouth, then ran over to the garage door. I could not believe his reaction. I put his harness on (I don't put the leash on his collar anymore, so he doesn't hurt himself when he sees a squirrel), and we took off for our walk. When we got back, I took the harness off and let him through the garage door into the backyard. He went straight for the treat he dropped earlier. He is definitely the smartest dog I have ever had. I wish I knew how to train him better. He knows 'sit' and 'shake' to put his paw out like shaking hands. But that is about it. He also knows when he picks up something while walking, and I say, 'You don't need that,' he will immediately drop it. I get the biggest kick out of having him around, and he is always good for a laugh. He has also developed a good guard-dog bark when somebody walks past. Now I have to teach him to bark at all the Fords that drive past.