I think most people who have had many dogs during their lifetime will agree that some of them are easier to train than others… some even seem to be born trained. Then, others… challenge every ounce of patience you’ve got. Well, I suppose since I’ve had a succession of easily trained dogs in the past several years, it was my turn to have my patience and perseverance with a training regime put to the test. Annie has been quite a test… I still refer to her as my puppy. Then people ask, How old is your puppy? To which I then reply, Well, she’s four years old – but she still acts like a puppy (in as far as her level of training goes). We’ve been over and over the basics day-in-and-day-out, but nothing seems to stick.
My goal for 2011 is to get Annie to walk on a loose lead at my side and be able to take a leisurely, pleasant walk with me. We’ve been working with a trainer one-on-one since the start of the year. I think even she, at times, wondered if Annie would EVER get it. Each time we’ve met with the trainer, she’s offered a tip or technique to try. Day after day, week after week, and month after month we’ve been working on loose lead walking. Always adding the new tips and techniques we’d been taught. There would be some improvement… a few steps forward – then, we’d end up taking several giant steps backward. We just recently started a group agility class. Annie does LOVE to train – she seems to smile and her eyes twinkle when we’re at work together. My thought was that the agility class would help strengthen our relationship – and hopefully, help out somehow with my loose lead walking goal.
Well, at first I thought we were just having a couple of really good days… but those good days have now progressed to TEN great walks in a row! These are real PLEASURE WALKS. Annie is walking on a loose lead and I truly think she really GETS IT!!!! She understands the difference and is enjoying every minute of it. A well trained dog is a happy dog! TRAINING PAYS OFF – just don’t give up!
Great work, Mom! Keep it up.