I got Sunny this morning, and the trainer did a demonstration of her new leash walking skills, but he never got her to nip anyone and so didn't address it. I am disappointed over that, and tried to get him to set her up, but he wasn't on the same track as me on this and didn't understand my frustration and fear over it. He claimed that as an obedient dog she would be more responsive to me and my corrections, but I will believe it when I see it. I'll set her up with Evan running across the lawn, but can't set her up using any other kid and am not comfortable believing that she won't go for some other kids ankle. That is a real bummer. Nipping was definitely my #1 concern. I had resigned myself to having a fat lawn dog that never got walked because she was so bad with the leash, and could live with that, but not one that would put her mouth on people.
I came home and took her for a good walk, she tried to relax and not follow the new program but I was able too keep her in line. I plan on working with her every single day until it is second nature for her. I wonder if I call Invisible Fence if they can give me a remote for her shock collar to give her a buzz if she bites. I think a shock or two would be all she needs to unlearn nipping permanently. She learned the perimeter of the lawn real fast. Maybe I can ask visitors to wear little white warning flags on their heels. I mean, what are my options? She doesn't nip when we are playing with her, only when we are ignoring her. I'm not sure a trainer could see it. She isn't doing it when we are attentive. It seems to me that a couple of shocks would be more humane than bringing her to the shelter for nipping and putting her up for adoption with a big "no kids" sign.
The kids all said "Hurray Sunny's home, but Matt and Josh went about doing their own thing. Only Evan really wanted to reconnect with her and coaxed up on the couch so that they could lie together and watch TV. It strikes me as funny, since he was the only one who was opposed to replacing Oscar.
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