After a few days of trying the trainer Bonnie’s ideas of how to work with Lila, I realized it wasn’t working for me. It just wasn’t how I want to train my dog. Allowing her to pull at my pant leg (and having it ultimately ending in biting), just wasn’t acceptable to me. I don’t see how the puppy will be able to discriminate that it is okay to pull and chew on my leg but not on the table leg and then magically stop pestering me in a month (if we both live that long!).
Today I took Lila for a playdate with Cassie, a two year old Brittany Spanial. Cassie is a lady now, has outgrown all that puppiness. But I remember her lively antics just two summers ago. I like the the way she has matured. Her mom, Susan, had recommended the woman she worked with for training (also a Susan). I called her, asked her how she would work with the jumping, chewing, biting that has been so frustrating for me. Her answers were more in alignment with how I feel. It’s a “three strikes your out” approach: on the third (firm but quiet) reprimand then she goes into her crate for time out. I tried it. It works. And I don’t get upset. I asked my friend Susan how often it’s okay to put the pup in the crate in one day. Enough to keep my sanity, she said.
I asked the trainer Susan about collars and “halties.” I don’t want to use a choke collar nor “halties.” When she said she uses buckle collars and no “halties” I said “You’re hired!” So she is coming here on Tuesday.