Because of Jamie’s (the heroine of “My Doggie Says…), gentle dog nature, my granddaughter Lauren had a wonderful relationship with her. Check this out:
In the above photo, Lauren is about one year old.
Now, Lauren is almost five years old, and her sister, Amelia, is almost three. And they are trying to learn how to get along with Callie, a two-year old puppy who has a wonderful doggie nature but is so rambunctious she scares Lauren and Amelia at times.
It’s been a bit of a struggle to have the girls around with Callie off the leash, so we enlisted the dog training help of Brian Lee, an expert and experienced dog trainer (who appeared on the “My Doggie Says…” radio show on March 18, 2009). In one session, Brian helped Barbara and me “adjust” our relationship with Callie in order to command a little more “doggie respect.”
Then, Brian brought his dog whispering skills to Lauren and Amelia. He helped them have more confidence around Callie — and to know how to react to Callie’s enthusiasm. And he taught Callie to be calmer around the girls and that their “stinkies” (security blankets) and snack food are “off limits.”
After the session with Brian, Callie’s Golden Retriever dog nature came to the fore, and she performed like a champ. This one-minute video shows Callie playing soccer with Amelia (who had been afraid of Callie) and then both Lauren and Amelia in our Jacuzzi with Callie bouncing around the edges.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBnLA6TzVik
Thanks, Brian! You worked a miracle for us!!! It was a great example of dog behavior modification.
Some dogs just love kids and exhibit unending patience with them.
When we adopted a rescued Blue Heeler we had no idea that he felt that way about children. As far as we know, he had never been around children – or even adults. He and a few others had been kept tied to trees with little food or water.
So… when we had house guests that included a 5 year old child we were shocked to see how much Pepper loved her. He wanted to stay right by her side, and she loved him back. One day I turned around to find the two of them laying on the floor, and the little girl had “Peppie Poo’s” gums pulled back and was examining his teeth. He was laying absolutely still, letting her explore to her heart’s content.
I’m quite sure my other dogs would have made a fast exit if she’d tried it with them!
Great story, Marte! Thanks.
Fred