A Miserable Failure

I failed miserably. Yep. I blew it. I suppose that comes as a surprise to some of you who might expect an intelligent, clever, action-packed little guy like me to be picture perfect, but it's true. I didn't come through when my Forever Mom needed me most. And though I feel bad about it, I think you'll agree it's a good thing. 

You see, my Forever Mom has some students in one of her classes that have reactive dogs - dogs like me, as a matter of fact - and she wanted to show them that she understands what they are going through, that she's "been there, done that," that she "feels their pain," etc., etc. To demonstrate this and to be absolutely authentic and convincing to her students, she pulled me out of her office, the inner sanctuary where all us dogs stay while she's working, so everyone could see how I explode with unpleasant, snarly, growly, barky behavior when I see dogs I don't know. The point simply was to let her students know that she knows what they are dealing with because she has ME. 

Well, I'm here to tell ya, and happily so, that her plan backfired. Yep. It's true. When my Forever Mom held me in her arms in front of a class full of dogs that I had never met, I'm proud to say that I behaved well - quietly,  gentlemanly, angelically even, and I did not react! 

Dig that! All the training training and desensitizing, along with my Forever Mom's most excellent situation management skills (plus her love and devotion to me too, I suppose), are working! Once again I declare that I AM making progress! Hot diggity dog!

Now, had my Forever Mom put me on the floor in front of all those unfamiliar dogs, it's likely that I would be telling you a different story (and I totally would share the whole truth with you because I am an honest little sheltie after all). But, when my Forever Mom did a double take and realized that I was being a good little guy, she decided to keep me in her arms, praise my most excellent behavior and then quit while we were ahead. Good call! Ending on a positive note worked for me! It was so much fun to be able to make a positive impression for once and show people that there is hope for improved behavior for reactive dogs!

So, it’s all good. Well, it’s almost all good. I still have to live with this whole failure thing since I didn't go off the deep end like my Forever Mom expected me to. But you know what? I think I'm okay with it. In fact, I think I'll do it again sometime soon. I'll let you know how it goes!

Sometimes failure is an option. 

I failed at something recently, 

and I’m glad I did!

Shock and Awe And Hot Dogs

Hey There. Remember me? That cute, clever little Sheltie who has a lot to tell you? Sorry I haven't made an entry in my blog in awhile. I guess it's true what they say about the holidays being a busy time. I sure have had a lot to do!

I had my first Thanksgiving with my new Forever Family and, cow-a-bunga, did I have fun! I got to be a part of everything: the cleaning, the cooking, the hugging, the eating. I was so happy and so busy meeting and greeting all the people who came for dinner. The best part was when Melinda arrived because she loves me gobs and always has a big hug and lots of cuddles for me. It seems that being small really has its advantages where laps are concerned! (Okay, I may be a budding, young, high-potential, cutting-edge athlete, but I still like lots of affection. Hey, I am making up for lost time!) I hope you all had as wonderful a Thanksgiving holiday as I did!

But enough of that. Time to get down to business! I have some most excellent news to share with you - a progress report of sorts. Whoa-daddy, it seems that I might indeed turn into one heck of an agility dog after all. With Lassie as my witness, I swear that a couple of times last week I cared more about playing agility with my Forever Mom than I cared about checking out other dogs in the room. Seriously! Pretty dippity darn shocking and awesome, isn't it? (Get it? "Shock and Awe." Sometimes I totally crack myself up!) 

Well, it's true. And it happened not once, not twice, but three different times! Could it be that I'm on a roll? Could it be that I like hot dogs and venison jerky more than I like going after other dogs? Man, I hope so because when I do a good job and stick close by her, my Forever Mom always has some good treats to give me! Now that’s something to remember, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah, I know. You're thinking "ratchet it down a notch or two little buddy," and you're right. I still have a lot of work to do. A LOT. Especially when you consider how I blew my gasket the other day when I saw an unfamiliar and unsuspecting Doberman. Yikes. Old habits really do die hard, which is why I'm not ready to make a debut at Soccer Blast or anything like that yet. Heck. I don't even know what a start-line stay is! But where there's progress, there's hope. And it seems I have made enough progress that my Forever Mom is hopeful about me having an agility career one day. Dig that! Yippee Skippy! 

So while I keep working on my manners, my crate games, my self control, and my agility skills, I would love it if you would keep your fingers crossed for me 'cuz I just know my name would look really good with some agility titles behind it! Thanks!

Note to self: Remember that I like hot dots and venison jerky much more than I like going after other dogs . . . remember that I like hot dots and venison jerky much more than I like going after other dogs . . . remember that I like hot dots and venison jerky much more than I like going after other dogs. Remember that I like hot dots and venison jerky much more than I like going after other dogs . . . 

Nick and Melinda cuddled with me a lot on Thanksgiving Day. 

I’m such an adorable, little guy, not to mention a bit pushy, 

so I understand why it was hard for them to resist me.