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 !

How Embarrassing!

Once again Lila & I ended up @ the vet's office to revisit an on going issue w/ her butt!  When I pulled into their parking lot, I noticed a lady who was walking her Lab-a-doodle into the waiting room.  Being of sound mind & body - I decided to walk my girl around a bit & then enter .  Well, best laid plans of mice & men - the lady was still waiting in the waiting room along w/ a gentleman who had a greyhound seated @ his side.  At first, peace prevailed ....but.....not for long!   The Lab-a-doodle  gave Lila the " stink " eye & it was on!!!!   They both were lunging @ each other ( for a second I thought I had Bud ) & noises came out of both canines that I never heard before !

It took ALL my strength to knee Lila to the bench so she could not " meet " her new found friend.  In this process - she even  knocked over their lovely end cap that was advertising something for the office :(   

 All I could think of  was.......... I NOW own one of those dogs I used to see @ the vet's office & felt very bad for the owners - yikes!

The staff was wonderful - even tho for a while there they could not hear their phones ringing & all commented on how beautiful  she is - I retorted that I used to think so too.... BUT.... not today.  I must add that the Greyhound was unfazed & simply remained seated  by his owner - jealously can't begin to describe what I felt watching them!

We were finally led to an exam room where she quickly laid by my feet - poor thing was exhausted from her earlier meet & greet.  She was very good w/ the vet & when it was time to leave,  the tech made sure the waiting room was clear of any canine .....just in case Lila got a second wind!

Five Steps Forward & Three Steps BACK......

I realize dogs ( animals ) feed off  your  energy & emotions - but Lila has taken this to a whole new level.  How can an  almost " perfect " canine indoors become practically unmanageable out doors???  Our walks are like a wrestling match!!!    She does beautifully @ a heel as long as there is not another creature in sight.  When she does see another 4 legged critter - she spins out of control & I mean it literally :(

I have tried taking a squeak toy to distract her upon seeing another animal - which worked for almost 10 seconds. I have tried treats -  which she is too busy to consume when she is air borne!  I purchased the halti- collar -  which worked wonders in the beginning ( after our 45 minute session on getting her to accept the darn thing ) , but I'm afraid she will bust out of it whilst twirling in the air trying to " greet " the other canine walking on the same planet !! 

                                        Don't you just see it in her eyes - yikes !!



The thing is I KNOW what she needs is exposure to the outside elements - be it people, dogs, birds etc - since she saw nothing but a backyard for most of her life chained to a doghouse. It's just that I now have a dog that I used to see people walking & think  - " they don't have a clue what they are doing " ?   Truth is I thought I did - but - obviously Lila does not.  I so wish her past could have been different BUT there is nothing I can do to change that, so I'm committed to working w/her.  Hopefully our new trainer can guide me as how to help her understand that other dogs are not out to get her or me.



           Cesar has not returned my e-mails ......so...... he must feel I can do it myself :))

Taking a Break......

Lila's blog will also be on hiatus since the death of Mom last Friday.

                                   This was taken @ JB's 60th B'day Party 5/27/12.