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Ok today I though let's try walking without umbilical and yahoo..yippee!!! It's working, she stayed with me and 90% of the time when I stopped walking she sat without being asked! Now I realize next time she may not be as obedient but like Brad says celebrate the success and this was a big one for us! This was on the way to the pit too so she hadn't been running yet. Do the happy dance!!!

wow!! Congrats Patty!! I can't wait for that day!!

Oh it'll come!! I decided not to do umbilical today cause I think it's killing my back! woke up this morning and went Uhoh!! I think I may see about getting a Buddybelt. I've seen thhem advertised on a few dog supply sites and it may take alot of the strain off the lower back, especially with a larger dog.

Congrats !
Sometimes all it takes is a little courage on OUR part. You had faith in your dog and she came through for you.
It's always to be surprised when they DON'T behave - not to be surprised when the DO behave !

Today was Keymo's second trip to the dog park. This time we went alone.(last time we met with a Brad's Class associate (Angele) and her dogs)
But we needed to see how he would be with just us alone. It went great - he had a blast and we realized (again) that we can trust our dog to stay near us. Maybe not RIGHT beside us, but in his comfort zone. AND he came everytime we called !

Feels great to be rewarded for our hard work doesn`t it !

It's encouraging to read everyone's successes. I think all successes are big, no matter what they are.

Today, Sushi made a new friend - a large 10 month old Poodle. A puppy and a big dog usually means bad behaviour on Sushi's part. But, when we first arrive at the park, I work with him so he knows I am in charge. There were a few snarls towards other dogs on the other side of the fence, but after the 3rd attempt, he was really good after that.

This was the Poodle's first trip to a dog park. I know the owners don't know Sushi's history other than me saying he doesn't always get along with bigger dogs. But, it was funny because they didn't want their dog loose in the main area, they were quite happy to come in and play with Sushi!! It ended up being a win-win situation. They said that Mandy tended to play rough at times. Well, Sushi would tell her off (no contact) and she would listen. At the same time, Mandy was very persistent in play-bowing to Sushi, and they would run off and play or just chase each other. When Sushi had had enough, she got the message.

I have to start taking my camera with me to the park to show proof of Sushi's new friends, lol.

Bonnie

Funney eh ?

WE want to meet up with other dog owners at the dog park to encourage and help US, and THEIR dogs are doing the same for our dogs.

People helping people and dogs helping dogs !

I have a feeling that once you start having success it snowballs...like now she doesn't have a hissy in the neighbourhood when she sees another dog and up until a few weeks ago she did. Seems being around all the other dogs in Ottawa changed her attitude big time.

We went to the dog park today. Later at home Keymo saw some people with 3 dogs walking on the beach/river/tundra (ha ha - there's SO much snow). He started to whine !
I guess he thought there was another dog park right in his front yard !

2 weeks ago if this had happened he would have barked like crazy and we would have thought he was angry with them - now we know he wants to JOIN them !

That is totally exciting!

We are having two steps forward one back this weekend. BIG bike ride around town and we passed several dogs and she looked at them but quit staring when I said Leave it. Then there was a guy with a big dog on extenda leash so I stopped and asked him to bring it in and it was growling at us. Ella got a little excited but handled it and once we walked past I got back on the bike and away we went.

Right at the end of our bike ride I could see two people walking towards us with two gorgeous huskies that were way out ahead and pulling and then biting one another in agitation when they saw us... I could feel my dog tense up and knew I had to pull over. I hadn't even got entirely off the bike and those huskies started growling and Ella lost it. BUT, she recovered not too long after.

As for barking and lunging at the patio doors. If she doesn't heed the NO barking, I grab her and kennel her for a few minutes. She had one temper tantrum in the kennel which was slightly humourous to me. (I kept my back turned) and the rest of the weekend I can tell she is trying not to bark but if even a wee one slips I crate her for a few minutes to make the point. I think she is getting it so now it's a matter of self-control.

Awesome stuff to read how great things are going! Gives more incentive to keep it up. We went for another little walk this afternoon just to see and she was really good so I guess it wasn't a fluke!