Lila's walks are anything but boring!!!  We generally spread our selves all around the area & visit different parks - one that contains elks ( she does nothing but stare @ them ) , one that has a huge lake w/ plenty of geese, ducks & other birds ( again simply looks @ them ) & her favorite one -  has a " dog " park feel.  It is here where she is most challenged,  due to her canine species running freely minus leashes!  She one day hopes to join this group - but @ the moment is still too " excited " to see them!!!

I have had her watch from a distance on both a sit & a down.........& ......been closer to the action where I have had to zap her to remind her to contain herself :)  All in all - she's progressing nicely & I am using less wattage for the most part w/ the e collar.

Some of the surprises we have run into were - a lady running w/ a buggy - personally I thought she was going a tad quick w/ a baby BUT when she slowed down - a Bichon leaped out & headed ( you guessed it ) rite for Lila!!!!!   I just stood there & mama came over & chastised her " baby " & scooped her up......only to put her back in the buggy & continue their stroll (?).

Another time I pulled up in the parking lot & a gentleman was walking his lab rite past my car - gad zooks - I thought she was going to leap out of the back seat - thank goodness for those child friendly height windows!  Needless to say , the zapper got a work out that moment.

Probably one of my favorite times was when I decided to photograph Lila on a small bridge.  She was pre-occupied & not listening to me.......ergo.........I " helped " her lay down.  After a few moments, I began  taking pictures & my camera malfunctioned.  I noticed she was intently looking past me & when I turned around  - I saw an elderly woman w/ her aged companion.  I said hello & she commented how beautiful Lila was & how nice it was that I was SO patient w/ her.   ( I was thankful she missed the beginning of this lil venture ).   She then shared her name & her dogs & offered to take our photo.  Very nice gesture - but all I could imagine is Simba - 15y/o lab mix who does NOT like to play - being w/ in 2 feet of Lila!!!  I politely declined & thanked her.......making sure we went the opposite direction of them.  All I could picture in my mind was Simba trying to protect his owner & Lila taking issue w/ it!!

                                           Lila on a lovely sit stay - finally !!!!

Zippity Zap !

Our next trip to Alex's house was truly choked full of surprises...... as only Alex can provide.  Once out of the car - a huge Rottie mix came charging across the street  to size up Lila.  I'm happy  to share that she more or less froze in place, having not been the charger, but then the excitement of another dog THAT close set in !!   The owner of said canine called out to him  & he proudly trotted back across the street. 

Again - I looked @ Alex who was walking towards us  ( box in hand ) & asked the magic question - " did you plan THIS one -  to which he replied the standard - " nope, I'm not that good ".   

What the box contained was an e-collar aka  "zap "  -   I thought I would cry right there on the spot .   Had he given up?????     Was there NO hope left?    Would she make a better search & rescue dog rather than a pet???     I asked all these questions  calmly - believe it or not - & his answer to all 3 was a resounding NO......much to my joy :)


He simply felt that her " excitement " was not lessening as much as he had hoped for  in the  amount of time w/ her in training. Why should I blow out my shoulder & arm trying to contain her, when a simple push of a button would work just as effectively???

 He then had a member of his staff bring out dog after dog & demonstrated when to use the device.  The idea is to use it as soon as  she begins to really focus on the fellow canine & before getting ready to  " explode " -  therefore calming her down so she can simply watch the goings on & not spin out of control.  He worked the hand control as I walked her thru pooch after pooch - the first few tries he did have to increase the voltage from 30 to 60.  But,  she caught on very quickly &  when his son walked out w/ 3 dogs @ a time ,  I was VERY proud of her for not wanting to join  them.  Don't get me wrong - she was VERY interested - but there was no lunging, barking or dragging me....she just watched intently :)

Lila's walking aids - choke, prong, lead, & zap - she has more accessories than me!

                                            Ready for our next walk/ adventure :))

Lila Seems to be in the Lead......

When it came time to have my next lesson - I brought Lila to his dog training class location.  Her nose was in high alert even before we reached Alex who was standing in the front of the room!!  He asked how things were progressing & from the look on my face - the truth was evident.  He then asked me to walk her around & make her heel........while I was attempting this relatively simple feat - we all loudly heard a small canine barking it's head off!!!   Lila was SO excited @ this point - I could hardly contain her!!  A gentleman dropped his pooch - Peanut - off for boarding......& she was not happy.  Once again, I asked Alex - did you plan this?   He looked @ me & repeated, " Annie, again , I am not that good ".

Now, Lila was up  up  up - so Alex took over.  He went back & forth trying to get her to heel & sit when he stopped & then  lay down  - none of which was happening :( 

He worked her for ( I kid you not )  a 1/2 hour before she did it automatically .....reminding her the whole time that " he had ALL day girlfriend" :)   He had done this training w/ her during her boot camp days - so he KNEW she knew it - she just didn't feel like doing it @ this particular moment.

When she finally was on a down - he put her on a STAY & she looked SO dejected - the funny man had WON again  ....so she just  stayed put. :)

As we all walked out together -   Alex looked @ me & said,  Annie , I have a plan - be @  my house next Tuesday . . . oh boy, what could he be thinking?????

  

                                                      The Lil lady in question .......

Walk w/ Confidence.......or Not

Silly me - I assumed that 4 days in dogie boot camp that Lila would be transformed into  Rin Tin Tin & I would be dead wrong!  On our first walk back to Clear Water Park ......there was not a dog to be found :(    She healed better   BUT  still was not completely paying attention to me.  The  location we visited the next day I thought was also going to be a bust - but - God once more proved he has a great sense of humor :)

We were walking along a long stretch of houses when I noticed 2 humans trying very hard to hang on to their 2 huge dogs - one was an American Bull & the other a yellow lab!! Unbeknown-iced to them - another man was also coming along walking his lil dog & young daughter.  This was all too much for Lila to handle & she went into HYPER " want to meet you" mode!!  I was afraid for the unsuspecting gentleman & his family & a'm happy to share the huge canines were ushered away ( rather loudly) & his pup was unscathed....whew!!

  Now at this point I remembered that Alex had said if/when Lila gets too pushy @ other dogs - turn the opposite direction & continue walking/ heeling.    As I did this - BAM - there was a lady walking her Wheaten Terrier......  for the first time....... w/ a halti collar.  Her pooch was not  the least bit happy & was jumping up & down like a bronco trying to get out of the device.  Lila was in her glory - not knowing which way to go b/c both directions held promise to a good time!!!

 I simply surrendered &  held my ground in a driveway that was close by.  I was hoping the home owners were sitting down w/ a cup of coffee watching all this take place on a lovely Sunday morning......... as they called their neighbors & not the police or animal control  :)

The young lady asked ME what to do........should I pass........go backward.....or what????
I suggested, rather calmly if I do say so myself, that she proceed forward,  but first make sure the halti was back on her dog - yes- he had gotten the nose piece out :(   

I made Lila sit & stay, however, NOT w/o some vocal protests as our newest visitors walked (?) on by.  I was exhausted to say the least - Lila on the other hand -  was ready & willing to continue on our trek home & possibly run into some more new canine buddies.    

Oh,  Alex??????

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!