Hi All,
Well, I had to update to say that Ella is doing super-duper this holiday visit with my family. She is sooooo calm and well-behaved and I learned how to exercise her on the treadmill when I don't want to go out. The treadmill is next to the train set so I can have her leash in one hand as I stand by the machine with her running and chit chat with my wee nephew as he is playing with the trains. Pretty cool!
I also took El for a big walk in the area and we actually WALKED for the first time in a long time. We did lots of direction switching and obstacles, but she wasn't pulling like she used to so that we could actually simply walk. We passed three dogs and she did not growl or show excessive interest. A golden retriever went by and she actualy behaved as if she wanted to go with him and play. Very happy about that.
HEY! Anyone here in Scenic Acres? I was driving yesterday and a woman had her little dog on umbilical and I nearly leapt out of the moving vehicle to see if it was someone who is on the Pattison training journey.Today Ella kind of lost it on a dog. I nipped the outburst in the bud right away. A bichon poop-shoe charged her growling so she did her dance and started to growl too.
We had a million kids and company yesterday and she was very calm. People kept comenting on how good she was. I was really proud of her. I had her on umbilical for that. She still wants to jump up a bit and get in kids' faces, but didn't fight to do it when she felt the leash tug she quit right away. She seems to want to sniff their faces all over. ???Wha't s that about??? She doesn't bite or push them, she just gets right in their faces and sniffs. It's been the one kind of irritating thing.
My folks got a kennel for here and she has not only been sleeping in it all night, but hanging out in it silently even after they get up in the morning and I haven't gotten up yet. She doesn't make a peep to get out.
I think I mentioned that my nephew is not much for dogs. He is ever so slowly warming up to Ella. He has been throwing balls for her until they get slobbery (bit of a neat freak) and lastnight he even pet her back and said "Goodnight pup." on his way to bed. I have been trying to teach him how to act more assertively with her. When she comes near him he is more likely to shrink away and hide his hands and make this stressed out grimace. He's getting better as each day goes by.
This dog keeps showing me more and more that she has a whack-a-do of potential. If we can get over this fear aggressive response we're so on our way. Can't wait Pami!!!!!
Forums
