Gah! Winston, you are so infuriating!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Winston has been my #1 guy for two months now. It did not take Winston long to settle in and start showing me his real personality. You all know that I love every little bit of him, and it seems, each day I love him a little more ...

BUT, you can't look at that mischievous face and not admit that Winston has some serious character flaws ...

 

Mainly, he is STUBBORN!!

 

While Winston is as sweet as pie and so easy going 99% of the time... well ok, 90% of the time, there are moments when he makes up his mind about something and just. won't. budge. I mean that litterally. He plants his feet on the ground, confident in knowing he is stronger than me, and outright refuses to move until he gets his way.

It looks something like this:

For example, when we go out and about walking in the neighbourhood Winston has preferrances for what specific paths he wants to take and if I dare even think of taking a different route he will halt, ground all four paws down into the side walk, and won't move. On a few occassions this has scared me because he decides as we are crossing the street that he really doesn't want to and would rather keep walking in the other direction. There are cars coming so I really have to get my tough girl voice out and get him to move.

 

At first I found this endearing, intriguing even. He first did this when we were walking by the apartment building where his owners said he used to live for the first year of his life before they moved to the country. So I took him there on purpose to determine if he really remembered, and sure enough he did. He sniffed all over and led me around as if he was showing me his old patch of grass, the tree he peed on, and then pulled me toward the front door... I guess he wanted to show me his old apartment. As we continue to walk along the path near his old place and across a foot bridge there's an option to keep walking along the canal, or to cross the street, go under another bridge, and come up on the university campus. Well, I have no reason to cross the road and go under the bridge to the campus, I never go that way, but Winston always tries to make me go there. He won't move an inch forward. I find myself dragging him to get him to move in my direction. I really can't explain why other than the fact that he must remember walking that way with his previous owners. It is like pulling teeth to get him to keep walking along the path, he absolutely insists we cross the street and head to campus. So one day I indulged him and let him lead the way as I was curious about where we wanted to go...

He was so happy as he led us through the campus, and down a particular street. We came to an intersection and I tied to cross and he refused. I tried to go right, he refused. Yep, Winston wanted us to make a left. So left we went. I tried to make another turn, and nope, he wanted to keep going.  Eventually I had to give up as we were getting far from home, so I insisted we turn around and after a five minute battle of the wills he gave up and followed me. But to this day I can't help but wonder where he was going. I thought about asking his previous owners out of curiosity, but I really don't want to keep in touch with them. I be they had a friend who lived that way that they used to visit.

Anyway, all this to say, it is getting cold outside and when a doodle mom wants to go home and warm up, it is really frustrating when a big ol' 75lbs doodle insists that it is not time to go home yet. I have been very patient with this behaviour as I have a soft spot in my heart for this sweet guy. If it were Sophie Bear, mom would be laying down the law. But now I've spoiled him, indulged him one too many times, and now I have to play battle of the wills everytime I want to turn around and go home.

Oh Winston, I love you so much, but mom's don't have fur coats to keep us warm. I can't wait to get a house with a backyard for the doodles. Winter will be so much easier then...

[Donna K & Quincy]

That picture is just so funny and cute. Maybe you could drive half way and see where he will actually take you. The curiosity would get the best of me.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

How is adorable is Winston?!  Rooney too will do the leg lock - always at night when he is afraid. Winston is much larger so I'm not sure how to handle it but I believe you - that he has a past that he hasn't forgotten.

[Sharon & Monty]

Sherri, you and Winston rock. Oh sorry, Sophie and Kitty too. :)  He's such a cutie.  Sometimes Monty will do this to us.  He really is a laid back guy, ask him to go for a second walk and he might balk and say that is not gonna happen!  I am so used to energy goldens, so it is quite nice sometimes when he doesn't want to go!  

[Bonnie and Kona]

We had a dog that did the feet plant and no way you could move him. He was hilarious and made us laugh every day. It sounds like Winston is pretty funny too. He has loads of stories to try to tell you, doesn't he? I am so thrilled that you have fallen so in love with this big guy and that he has you for his forever mom now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh I think Winston is a "Mama"s Boy".  He is a "man on a mission", but that is going to get real old as Winter hits.  Good luck, and maybe the prong collar will help.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I know it is frustrating but it is also very cute.  Winston has a past and he knows what it is.  I really do think he is trying to show you all of it too.  Maybe next Spring when the weather is nicer you can drive to the campus and then start the walk from there to finish where he wanted to take you.  It would be interesting to know if there is a final destination.  Such a handsome boy...yes, prong collar for willful or strong Doodles.  My Gracie Doodle wears one when I walk her because DH breaks all the rules and lets her lead which is against all of our training and my hard work of her heeling.  Then when I get her for a walk she tried to pretend I am DH and I won't stand for it.  She heels perfectly by my side with the prong collar.  Just make sure you get a good quality one and not a cheap one that may be what you find at PetCo or PetSmart.  Our trainer supplied us with ours.  Some don't have stops and then they become a choke chain type collar.  The correct kind have a stop so you can't injure your Doodle if they should overcome you with their strength.  Also, the prongs are rounded and not sharp or rough on the edges. Mine is German made by Sprenger.  You can Google it.  There are a lot of us who use them.  You might do some archive research in the "Ring Around The Collar" group.

[Carol and Banjo]

Well I can see why you're so in love with this guy!   He is totally charmingly adorable!!!    I think F is right....a prong collar used correctly should do the trick.    Hugs to you Winston....you're one cute little doodle!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

 Just look at that face, he is too adorable and it seems quite a personality too . I'm sure you will find a way to re-direct him to where you want to go...in time..

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have two words for you because I've already written on this subject doodles of times. Prong collar. Together my two weigh about 106 pounds and I need them to go where I want to go without battles. I never go out without them except for the yard : ) They still jump for joy when the leashes are picked up, too.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Winston you are a doll! If it makes you feel better Sherri-Chloe does this and I have had to pick her up and carry her to lay the law down. (lucky she is a 1/4 of the size as Winston!) But this is very difficult when I have both dogs with me!

Turns out my DH is giving in to her route. She will sit on the corner and not budge if you pull her, she stands up and wraps her front paw around the leash and pulls back! It's crazy I tell her you are not winning this game with me and she don't but daddy is a little more gullable! I wonder where Winston was going too. Chloe just has certain peeps she wants to check on!