I need help toughening up!

[Laura & Chewie]

Chewie started training today, on his 5 month birthday. It's drop-off...he's there a good part of the day and in between training there's a daycare and he gets to play which he loves. I know we've been doing a lot of things wrong and have to stop treating him like our baby, but it's so hard. When we go to pick him up, they show us what he's learned and starting tomorrow will give us "homework" for him and us. I think the trainer really knows her stuff and I have no doubt Chewie will do great. The problem is ME!!! For example, we pick him up today and he was so excited to see us, but they wouldn't let him come to us until he calmed down and was "appropriate". I'm sitting there thinking to myself, "poor baby, he wants to see us so bad" or something to that effect.

The trainer makes it look so effortless, but of course, that's what she does all day. I really want a well-behaved dog and will try to do my best, but really doubt my abilities in this area. I know there must be a happy medium between the results the trainer can obtain and my inexperience.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to stop being a wimp!!! LOL.

[Adina P]

Very good point. The better trained your dog is the more you can enjoy his company everywhere you go without worrying about things that bother other people. A dog's happiness isn't only shown by over-enthusiasm and getting in your face. Just think if he were a human kid and he behaved that way toward your friends...jumping on them or rushing into their face...would be awkward.

Remember you don't have to have magic skills to keep up his training. Just follow what the trainer says to do--dogs are very happy and secure when things are consistent. INconsistency makes them confused and unsure. Imagine if you never knew what would result from your actions--very difficult to know what choices to make.

So make it easy on your dog, give him clear guidelines and follow through and you'll BOTH live richer lives =)
Besides a trained dog doesn't lose his happiness and joy at seeing you...he just LISTENS and obeys when you have important things to ask of him. But if you want him to obey at the important times....you have to demand the same thing in normal times.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh, I know....I'm right there with you. I had the same problem when my kids were little. The hardest thing for me is when I come home and take Guinness out of his crate. He's so happy to see me, he's bouncing off the walls - crying, jumping. I force myself to turn my back and not speak one word to him until he's calm. It's torture. I've missed him too, and all I want to do is pet him. It is getting much easier, and now his excited time is much shorter...he's beginning to understand that he won't get what he wants (my attention) unless he's calm. It's the same way I used to feel when the kids were in "time out". If they cried, it just killed me. But I know, if I give in he'll quickly learn that I really don't follow through, and that will manifest itself in all my training. Once he's calm though, I give him tons of puppy hugs...that's how I get over feeling like a "meanie".

[Laura & Chewie]

Thanks...I know what everyone says is so true. We had another dog for close to 17 years. He never had any formal (or otherwise) training. Luckily, he was a pretty good dog, but could definitely be demanding and bratty at times. We humanized him way too much and were fortunate that nothing really bad resulted from it. I know my biggest challenge is thinking of Chewie as what he is...a dog.

Thanks again...I'm sure I will have questions or just be looking for support in the coming weeks. Everyone here is always so generous with their advice and comments.