Boot Camp

I dropped Lila off on a Tuesday morning for training & dogie day care - complete w/ her food, prong collar & leash.  After I filled  out some paperwork,  she happily followed Alex to her new residence til Friday.  I drove away feeling " free " & by the time I was half way home - I was feeling very guilty :(

I assumed the 2 cats would sense her absence & party hardy in the living room.  I was wrong - they remained in the back of the house & didn't budge.  Ky did finally bring out Payton & placed him on his beloved cat tree & he did frolic a bit - til Ky ret'rd to his room & Pate followed closely behind.  Gracie didn't trust the fact she was gone either & remained in Trev's doorway........ before darting to the back of the house.  I think she missed the game of " try to see me as I venture around " !!  The Pug could not have cared either way......he went @ his business as usual & didn't seem to miss a beat.

 One of the coolest things I experienced while she was gone was watching my girl on video in his day care.  She was among MANY other dogs & did fine :)))    I was close to tears when I watched it for the 1st time  & very proud of her !

When Friday rolled around - Alex explained to me what transpired in the 4 days & asked me to sit on a chair in his front yard as he brought her out.  At first she didn't even notice me - her nose was going 240 w/ all the dogie scents......then I made a very small noise & BAM - she almost knocked me out of the chair :)))    It felt like a scene out of a Disney movie !!!  

I then " worked " w/ her listening to Alex's instructions & she was amazing - even w/ other dogs walking around her.

On the way home - we were stopped @ a railroad track & a gentleman was walking his black lab - she took note from the back seat & started to get antzy.  I said " LEAVE IT"  & she laid back down.......I thought he was a miracle worker :)

He had also mentioned that when she gets home & on her own turf - exhaustion would set in BIG time & once again he was absolutely correct :)

                                     Last hours of freedom for Fest & Gracie.....

                                      Gracie w/ her lord & protector Trev :))

                           She was down for the count after her 4 days in boot camp :)

Lesson One.....

As I pulled into the trainers driveway - I heard NOTHING!  There were NO dogs barking, yet,  I knew he had a kennel in his back yard.  Had he lied??

Soon after ... out walks Alex.  I had Lila waiting in the back seat of the car w/ the door open - let me tell you - her nose was going 100 miles per hour!  When he approached, I let her out.  She was donning the halti collar & he asked that we leisurely stroll down his block w/ her @ a heel.  She did fine UNTIL an unsuspecting neighbor ventured out to get his mail w/ his off lead dachshund - what nerve!  It took Lila a nano second to spot them &  her true colors of being in the " hi - I want to meet you now " zone were in full swing.

  I have since learned - the gentle leader type collars are to prevent pulling BUT are for a forward motion only.  They  aren't really a correction device.  I asked Alex immediately if he staged this magic moment & he said , " Annie I'm not that good "!  He then watched us walk/heel & decided my torture lasted long enough.  From his truck, he emerged w/ the dreaded prong collar ( Bru & I said we were not going to go that route as all it did was make Bella's eyes all bloodshot ).  So o o o .....  he correctly fitted her w/ it & proceeded to take her for a stroll.   She was everywhere w/ him & he corrected & corrected & corrected......you get the drift :)   He finally got her to listen & she actually stayed @ his side......til he had another trainer bring out a beautiful 9 mos old German Shepherd pup.  She went ballistic again & he corrected & corrected & corrected..........at one point he looked down @ her & said - " I once knew a woman like you & she really hurt me !".  

He deduced that she had a case of dogie ADD & had absolutely no focus.  Also added that he has not seen such a stubborn dog for almost 3 years & was anxious to begin training.  That's when he suggested his dogie day care aka boot camp for a few days to see what she is like w/ other dogs in a pack.

I noticed him rubbing his left arm after he returned her to me - he was nice enough to share that he was in pain & asked how I did it?  I looked @ him & smiled saying  .....THAT......my friend is why we are here :)

I readily agreed to the boot camp & asked when....when he gave me the day to drop her off - I asked if it was okay if  I would drive by - let her out & say ......Lila  - find Alex!!!

A Training We Will Go

I decided to get Lila some formal training - as our time spent outdoors walking has increasingly become a work out for me ( which I neither desire or enjoy )  when other canines enter the picture.  I hopped on the internet & was scrolling along when I came across someone in Des Plaines ( close suburb ).  After further research, I discovered I had seen this gentleman on our public access channel while giving seminars at the library in my town.  He was laid back, displayed a great sense of humor & seemed to understand the canine world.  Sooo, I called him up & spoke w/ his wife for quite a long time - trading war stories - & she set me up w/ a free consultation w/ her husband.

When the day arrived,  I met him at his new location & Lila & I preceded down the stairs ( I don't think she ever did stairs before @ the rate she was descending down ).  It was a small area w/ a couch that was adjacent to the dogie classroom.  She greeted him & laid down next to my feet!!! 

                                         Yep......she pretty well had him snowed :)



He was very enamored w/ her looks & disposition & was probably wondering WHY the heck  I contacted him...... I did share all our horror dogie tales from walks & he listened intently.  He agreed to take her on as a client & our next meeting would be @ his house where he has a kennel & runs a dogie day care..........I couldn't wait!

Heat Wave of 2012.....

This has been one of thee hottest summers I can remember & it certainly took its toll on both humans & animals alike !  When I think of Lila spending all the time outside previously .....my heart breaks.  NOW, if you are not out there w/ her - she wants in - pronto!   When it's not too warm - I do let her spend some quality time in the screened in porch......on a dogie bed.........w/ fresh water :)  She  always lays right by the door & is ready to come in any time you exit the house.  The nice part is - she never barks - I guess in her case- practice made perfect :(


When I heard it was going to hit 107 degrees for the first time - there was NO way I was going to keep Cheddars outside in the garage ( w/ her own fan - mind you )  so I brought her in to  "bunk" w/ your new sister Lila & the Pug.

          As you can tell - they were very interested in each other in the beginning.

                                           Then they simply became room mates !