With the arrival of Lila in my life, everything turned upside down and inside out. I knew it would be different, having a dog again, but this is different than I expected. Lila has not been an easy pup. I've worked weekly (and sometimes twice a week) with a wonderful trainer, Susan Jordan (of PAWS for Family and Friends). And now I am reaping the rewards. Now Lila is a normal puppy and I am so very very happy. My trainer, Sue, is totally excited. It shows how her methods work. She said the training process is easy with an easy pup. But to see it happen with one who has "issues", it's very confirming. And she says I should be very proud. Ultimately the bond between Lila and me will be that much stronger for having worked together so intensively. I well up with tears every time I think about, or look at, my wonderful puppy. It is such a big change, like I exchanged her for another with the same markings. Can hardly recognize her, she's so normal (most of the time)!
More than one person suggested (or outright said) I would be better off exchanging her for a calmer puppy. Suggesting that I picked her for all the wrong reasons: her looks--she is so beautiful, has exquisite markings. She is also very intelligent and strong-willed. A “pushy pup.” It is common knowledge that the middle temperament puppy (in a litter) is an easier dog, one that is not aggressive, not shy—an easier dog for a pet. But she was the one for me. The one who felt right, right from the beginning, when I saw her at four days old. She's right for me In so many ways.
Training Lila has not been easy. She came to me with a “mouthy” temperament. Until about two weeks ago the back of my hands were covered with scratches from little puppy teeth and the back of my legs were covered with bruises from little puppy ramming into me with her sharp little puppy teeth. Sometimes, when my back was to her, she would take a running leap at me—with her mouth open. I was a standing snack attack(ed). In the realm of "diagnosis," she had little impulse control (what puppy does, you might say, but this was over-the-top) or ability to self-regulate—she wasn’t able to relax, settle. She would get over-stimulated easily and couldn’t calm herself. I didn’t talk to too many people about it because I myself wasn’t sure how this would turn out. But as Sue told me today, my “quiet determination” is showing rewards. (Although I wouldn’t say I was always quiet when working with Lila. Sometimes I would really lose it. At this point, I can just say “I don’t like you when you are like this” and that helps me to stay calm.) Lila now listens, learns quickly, usually obeys, tests me constantly in a normal, bright little puppy way, and is very affectionate and loving as well as playful, exuberant and adorable. There are no wounds on my hands. She still has occasions of ickyness but they are very brief and infrequent. You would never know from looking at both of us the journey we have taken together.
And the interesting part (for me) is how much it has affected the rest of my life. I'm much more clear about things, more sure of my own feelings and thoughts and decisions. And too, it has affected my painting in the same way (which is very exciting). So--there are many surprises in having this particular little puppy! My baby's come a looong way!
Posted by leya at March 26, 2006 06:38 PM