Time

This past year has been about time for me.  Having it, making the most of it and learning how to let it work for me.  It is the last one that can be the most difficult but is the most rewarding.

 Daddy and Brut

My husband made a New Year's Resolution to walk the dogs every other day as part of his exercise routine and he succeeded with that goal.  Time with Daddy is hard to come by and this special one-on-one time has been precious.  So precious that Brut's protectiveness and dog aggression would be triggered off when Daddy is home.  It is taking a ton of trial and error, tools and techniques to finally find a gentle solution that is making a world of difference.  I spoke of it recently HERE.  It has been a long road getting to this point but with Brut's attitude flaring up in direct contrast to when Daddy is home, it has helped in narrowing down his behavior in order to respond better.  All it took was some time.

Zappa with his favorite guy

The first year and a half that the Front Dogs became part of our lives, Chance, Blaze and Brut have taken most of my attention.  Now since the two dog packs have begun to settle this past year, I have been able to give the remaining Back Dogs, Zappa, Fiona and Silver what they have needed:  TIME.

Fiona on the move

 If you have never raised two puppies together at the same time, (Zappa and Fiona) you would not believe the bond that exist.  It is tight.  It has just been this past year that I have been able to really get to know each of these dogs on a more personal level, like learning how to play with them, working with training and behavioral issues.  Little things that have made huge impacts on their lives and mine.  Most prevalent has been my relationship with Zappa and his dog pulling abilities that I wrote about in THIS POST.

Silver's ready!

I have done the same with Silver.  It has been forever it seems since I taught her a new trick or really worked with her.  She tends to end up at the bottom of the heap of five other demanding dogs.  And just being able to carve out that little bit of time with her, is already showing leaps of progress.  She has been craving her own equality and finally I have been able to give it to her.  The difference is night and day.

Chance:  You've got to smell this!

Blaze:  Wrong Way DAD!

 And then there are the Front Dogs who summed up everything I started working with them this past year from leash training to simple behavior issues to advancing their training by taking a trip to the vet today and passing with flying colors.  Both Chance and Blaze's handled the entire experience like champs.  Neither of them snapped or growled and they both took to the vet quite well.  Chance didn't scream when the vet came near him nor when she gave him his shot.  And here was the real kicker, they BOTH took treats from the vet.  That was the biggest break through we have made so far.  I still can't believe it!  It was exciting and all it took was time.

If I really look back, time has been the biggest lessons I have begun to learn.  For myself and for the dogs.  It is so hard sometimes not to push harder and go further than they are ready for, but when I really listen to the dogs, they let me know when they are ready to take that next step and time will take care of the rest.

May we all be blessed with more time than we ever thought possible with our favorite furry friends while we revel in the magic that happens within it.  

Have a wonderful and Happy New Year

Love,

24 Paws of Love

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