Eddy is now 18 months old and a super star. Every day was and is a training day. We have been so consistent with him and it is all coming together now and reaping rewards. I must admit when he was between 8 - 15 months I never ever thought I would be able to send a post like this. Walking him was a chore and I knew would end in me coming back, sometimes in tears because he had been so badly behaved. Now it is a pleasure to walk him, he comes back when called, he spots other dogs , looks and wags his tail but stays with me plus the pocket full of treats help. This hasn't be easy to achieve , many times we have had to go back to basics and the 15 foot lead dragging along the ground but he has finally got it. He has a greet mat in the hall when people come to the door, he now automatically sits on it when the doorbell rings. He is released with the word 'greet', so he walks to say hello and not bound at the door. I have lost count how many times we had to return him to the mat asking the person the other side of the door to wait. All our visitors have been brilliant giving the same response to certain unwanted behaviours as we do. He walks really well on a loose lead, I have spent many hours turning round and walking the other way when he pulls, I'm sure the neighbours thought I was somewhat strange, as in the early days I could turn round and walk back towards the house at least 10x without leaving the drive. He has never been allowed to pull at any of our clothing or have his teeth touch our skin, when this happened we would just stop the play and get up and walk away ignoring him. He is now very gentle when he plays. We keep him busy, he goes to a lovely doggy daycare twice a week and I take him to agility as well, he is so enthusiastic about all of these, his tail never stops wagging. Husband takes him on an early morning 30 - 45 mins walk, then I come home from work to take him on his main walk at lunchtime for about 1 1/2 hours. We also play games such as hiding treats in the garden, working out how to get treats out of upturned containers etc. He has barked 5 times since we had him and only a single bark each time, he barks then looks quite shocked that the noise came out of him. He does a sort of 'chatting' instead, especially first thing in the morning when he has a lot to tell you. He likes rolling in poo over the fields if he can get the chance. I forgive him this, as it is his only misdemeanour. He is so loving and he makes us laugh everyday. So there is light at the end of the tunnel, some days it may seem like there isn't but it will all come together eventually.
I absolutely loved reading your post about Eddy, he sounds so adorable. That is such great news that there is eventually light at the end of the tunnel!!! My lab is currently 11 months and doing really well, although the lead pulling is certainly a hard one to crack. I hardly get anywhere when we do a road walk in the evening, at some point I am sure it will sink in but it is so tedious and boring to keep turning around. Otherwise she is fabulous and makes us laugh every day too. Reading your post has given me hope regarding the loose lead, and to just keep on at it. A thoroughly enjoyable read, thank you
Thank you so much for your lovely positive post. Eddy sounds brilliant, a perfect boy and it certainly gives us younger puppy owners struggling with delinquent behaviour hope for the future with our dogs. Well done with all that you have achieved with Eddy
