... it's a Dog's world

"Mamma mia, Pappa pia!" my son Simon often says to express his exasperations.  Being part Italian that's about the extent of his duo-lingo.

Right about now, I need a prominent phrase to express my exasperation but the best I've been able to come up with to date is "Oh My Goodness!". 

Yesterday marked 5 weeks since I brought Walter home from the DogGuides school in Oakville.  Honestly?  Life has become more stressful and more than a tad more hectic at times.

We were 'warned' before graduating that life at home with our new pooch helper would be hard for the first 1 to 3 months.  I understood that intellectually but I couldn't at the time anticipate how Walter would react with all the other little stress factors thrown into the equation ... like our bully male cat and saucy parrot who thinks she's big enough to take on and win a face-to-face duel with a big black fluffy dog!

Then we have the hyper and impulsive 6 year old Simon who just can't help himself (or so he says), and even tho' he knows NOT to command the dog or run through the house lest he be chased by said big black fluffy dog, does so anyway!

Yep ... my house is now officially the Hamilton-Wentworth Zoo! 

Bird teasing dog, dog stomping on bird, bird squawking so loud the house shakes, dog spots cat, dog grabs toy and barrels through the house chasing the cat, cat punching and growling at dog, dog retracting, grabbing a new toy and trying once again to get cat to play with him, kid calling dog to chase him and new chase ensues for dog .... me, the Mamma lady, trying to get some control over someone just to end up losing my voice from yelling so loud with no effect.  (this is the scenario when Walter is off the leash and enjoying a few minutes of "play" time)

Trust me, this is THE place to visit for some entertainment when coming to Hamilton.  And the admission is fairly cheap too ... just some strong black coffee for the Mamma lady.

Seriously now, there are several times a day the thought goes through my mind whether this Special Skills Dog is more helpful or stressful, and many many times I've made up my mind to send him back and just go back to being as independent as possible on my own.  Never mind the dog! 

But here's the fact folks.  Even the highly trained Special Skills Dog is really, at the end of the day, just a dog.  He still barks and has impulsive moments.  He still has days that he's not feeling up to par to be able to work.  He still has a need to be relieved creating more work (doggie doodie) for my hubby and assistants to clean up.  He's a dog.  A special dog, but a dog.

2 weeks ago I had made up my mind to send Walter back with Paulette the trainer when she came to visit.  Just as I made that decision, within a day, the team that we were graduated as began to mesh and voila, he was becoming more helpful then stressful! 

The trainer came for her scheduled, routine 1 month assessment and wouldn't you know the skills I tried IN VAIN to have Walter do for me (which made me think for a while I brought an imposter dog home with me), he did with NO effort whatsoever! 

One of the skills we learned at the school was "Take it, go give" where I give an object to the dog and say "take it", then command him to "go give" this object to another person nearby.  Before the trainer's visit, my hubby and I tried this several times with several different objects.  Walter just didn't get it ... or take it, leaving us to believe he really wasn't as skilled as he was suppose to be.  Then there's the ever so famous command "fetch".  Easy right?  Nope.  Until the day the trainer came by 'fetch' seemed to be on Walter's terms only. 

While the trainer was here Walter performed perfectly.  He even finally understood that barking at the door bell really doesn't win him points or treats.  Mind you, the trainer used pretty aggressive means to change this behaviour - banging pot lids together like cymbals.  That certainly got his attention.

So here's what I've learned in the last little while about having a DogGuide: 

1. If you're relaxed and not anxious, then the Dog will be more relaxed, listen better and perform better; and 
2. I must Must - MUST - be authoritative at all times (not necessarily by raising my voice but by changing my tone).  Tone is the key when training a dog.  Sharp, firm, low voice giving 1 or 2 word commands. 

I'm happy to say that this Dog is very smart and very well trained.  He knows his stuff folks.  He's waiting and ready to be of service to me all day long, and I love his sweet nature!  There are even times I don't have to command him and he's already on the job picking up an object for me that I've dropped.  Very sweet.

Walter is also very charming and wins the heart of just about everyone who comes in contact with us.  He stands on his hind legs when meeting someone new and either gives them his paw or a big hug!  His charm is opening up new social opportunities and actually bringing out a new level of friendliness in me!

(Please note the standing on hind leg and greeting people thing really is not permitted and we're still working on it, but it's just so darned cute!)

So, for now he's staying!  I feel I need to give him at least 3 months to adjust since our home has so many distractions that tempt his poodle nature.

OH - and if I don't get a chance to write again soon, Merry Christmas and peace, love and joy to you throughout this special season!

With love,

The Mamma lady :)