Gone to the dogs

12Oct09

My dog is getting schooled.

His problems came to a head on a sunny Tuesday not long ago.  We were taking a leisurely walk with our dogs.  But that good, clean fun turned ugly. It was an event that will forever be known as the Wills and Franklin Meltdown.

We only went two blocks before it happened…

On one side there was a shrieking Dachshund, darting from one side to another behind the fence.

On the other, a Jack Russell running a circle around his yard.  He runs that circle so well that you can see where he has worn the yard out.

See the spot!

Coming towards us was a stray dog and rounding the corner was a lady with a baby front pack.

It was on for my leash aggressive, crazy, little dog.

He went crazy.  Barking, snapping.  He couldn’t be contained.  I tried and tried to get him under control but he would squirm out of my arms.

The wiener dog got in trouble, the baby people ran away and the stray dog kept following us.

It was a Class A meltdown. 

Here is my amateur sketch…

The meltdown, thanks photoshop!

I’d had enough…Spliff was going to school.

After taking some suggestions from fellow dog lovers on Facebook, I promptly enrolled him in the Tri-State Canine University Freshman program.

It’s a five week course that teaches you and your dog about dominance, aggression and awesomeness.

In the last three weeks, Spliff has learned how to sit, heel, and walk on a treadmill (my favorite part).

I’ve learned how to take control of a dog that I had pretty much given up on ever being good.

We went for our first walk yesterday since his training.  There were a few incidents of barking in my puppy packed neighborhood but we were able to get his attention and move him out of the situation before it turned into a meltdown.

I know every time we take him out is will get better, not worse. With some time, and a lot of treats, the Wills and Franklin Meltdown will become a distant memory.

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