Thanks DOL

[Tylerthegiant]

I have had some real progress with Lucas. Tonight I took him out to Starbucks when DH and I went and he stayed focused on me the WHOLE TIME! Of course I had yummy ham in my training apron, however, this is a dog that ignored food in public places.

I've went from getting him calmed down when I have to put on his harness for walks in 30 minuets, to five in the last couple of weeks, being in the house he is much calmer because he never knows when he will get a treat for just lying there being calm. Walks are better, I actually walked past a cat lounging on someone's driveway only about 8 feet away and I didn't get pulling, whining, bucking or barking (although he was REAL attentive LOL). Now when he sees a distraction he actually looks at me instead of freaking out.

Still a lot of work to do in certain situations, and I haven't gone anywhere near Petsmart (keeping him below threshold) but his watch me is amazing (he gazes at me like he's in love-none of my other dogs have that kind of eye contact-it's like they can't wait to break it), he sits automatically at the door to go through, he can't hold a stay very long-that sort of thing, but I no longer get pacing in our training, I get focus, tail wags, head tilts (cutest thing ever) and offering behaviors.

I can't even believe it. So many things I didn't think to do, and so many things I accidentally was using against us, and WAY too much correction.

Thanks to all for your great advise and support. I just had to share my excitement with those who have been helping me with him.

[andipanda 1]

YEAH !!!!! It's so wonderful when it finally comes together for you !!!!!

andi

[Tylerthegiant]

Thank you. The cat thing, and tonight at the starbucks, really shocked me, pleasant surprise for sure. It's not like there's not a LOOOONG way to go, however just his general focus and attitude toward training makes things fun for both of us.

I'm sure it's just like dieting, we'll hit another plateau and I'll be on here asking for help with him again but it's a big difference and my end goal is for him to be calm enough in the house that I'm not always getting up and correcting insane behavior, patching my walls, sweeping up broken glass, and he'll never end up in the ER because he broke his hip running on my wood floors or any other "Lucas is insane" specific injuries. Everything else, like being able to take him out in public and being proud of his manners is just icing on the cake.

I just appreciate it and wanted to give Lucas supporters the satisfaction of knowing how their help is paying off.

[jeann1230]

GREAT JOB!!! Give yourself a pad on the back. After all its your dedication to Lucas that makes all the difference!

[NMDane]

WTG!!! Thatta boy Lucas!!

[Tylerthegiant]

Someday he will be a simply fabulous guy! He's so smart and sweet with dogs, people, just a great big happy, friendly guy. No one believes me that he will ever be well behaved, they think he's a good natured hellion and I am a crazy person. But he will get there, we will get there, and you guys will be a witness to the whole transformation, and are probably the only one's that has the faith in him that I do.

[tarheelchick]

Congratulations and I'm so excited for you and Lucas!

I know what you mean when you say other people don't believe that a dog can ever change. I hear that all the time about Hank. (even from my own family members).......it can be discouraging when you work so hard and KNOW that it takes a long time and doesn't happen over night.

So glad for the supporters on DOL to keep the spirits up! Yay Lucas!!!!

[jackio]

Yay Lucas!!
and you, for all the hard work put in