Transforming Tanner and Training Me Part 1

Anyone who knows me knows that my life revolves around my three-year-old dog, Tanner.  I’m over the moon in love with my little “child.”  He’s always gone everywhere with me.  He’s been to the Florida Keys, the Outer Banks, and Atlanta.  He’s flown on airplanes, gone boating, to beaches, to outdoor festivals, and hiking in the mountains.  He dines at outdoor cafes with me.  He routinely goes to the dog park, and accompanies me on many pet sitting client visits (only those where he’s invited).  Some of my clients even insist on his presence.  He’s coddled and spoiled.   

Anyone who has met Tanner also knows that he could use some obedience training, and that’s putting it mildly!  While I socialized him from day one, and he is happy and friendly, he can be a bit much.  He has endless energy.  He’s a major watchdog.  His bark is excruciatingly loud.  He’s lightning fast.  And he pulls on the leash when we walk.  I call him “sled dog.”  Many friends over the years have said, “He only gets away with all of this because he’s so tiny.”  He’s six pounds.  I realize most of his bad behavior is my fault, because I spoil him.  I haven’t been a very good alpha.

I was forced into action a few weeks ago, when he bolted out the front door of someone’s house.  He ran down the street at top speed, and then ran directly up to the face of a notoriously vicious Pit Bull who was in its front yard.  Of course, Tanner ignored my shouting pleas for his return and my offers of treats.  Luckily, the owner of the dog had run outside and wrapped his entire body around his dog to prevent him from getting Tanner.  Had he not been there, I have no doubt that Tanner would have died that day.

I called a dog trainer I’d recently met and become friends with.  She came over, evaluated Tanner, and we set up a plan.  He was to go off to “obedience boot camp” at her home for a week.  He would be returned completely off-leash trained, knowing voice and hand commands.