Question:
: Hi to all fanatic JRT lovers, enjoy your website very much and am very impress of your latest designed web. It was much more easier and precise to locate what ones is looking for. A big applause to you all out there. Hurray!
: Being a novice JRT owner for the past 4 years, I didn't enrol my female spayed JRT in any basic obedience lesson until she turned 3 last yr. She has fear-related aggression which embarrassed me in public and as a result I avoid taking her to crowded place. Just somewhere nearby that was not crowded. What a fool I've been! Everything changed after we "graduate" from obedience course. She was a different dog now. Our bond are closer and she simply adored and respect me. I agreed we had came a long hard way before getting where we are now. She would lungs and barks at strangers and dogs that come along but not now. She can sit/down quietly next to me while I chit-chat with friends or even strangers. She can do a long sit/down stay for a good 30 minutes alone or even between a collie and a lab in class without fidgeting. It was definitely a bonus. However, heel work is not so "ideal". I was taught to use a choke chain so as a result I didn't work too hard on heel work because I personally did not fancy the idea of "tugging". Nevertheless, since I'm not looking towards for obedience trial, is it okay to let it be? She doesn't pull her leash but she walks "an arm" apart from me. I just want her to be herself, that is, lead a decent dog life. So long, she respects me as "alpha" and obey my commands such as come, sit/stay, down/stay, stand, fetch, off, finish etc. Am I easily contented? The only trail I'm interested is agility which is fun and enjoyable for both the handler and the dog. Am I taking the right path? An
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Response:
Dear Belinda,
I can't tell you how tickled we all are to read such a wonderful success story -- you did good, Belinda, and I hope you are as proud of yourself as you are of your terrier.
No, I don't consider you "easily contented" because you've decided to pass on the perfect heel. I consider you "strongly dedicated" to your terrier because you want her to be safe (the commands could save her life) and you want her to "be a dog" too. Understanding that our terriers need both is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to our pets.
Agility training is a logical next step and will further strengthen the bond between you and your terrier. From what I've seen at agility trials, your terrier walking an arm's length from you will likely be an asset, not a hindrance. :-)
Thank you for your kind words; they are most appreciated. Have a great time with the agility training!
Warm regards,
Leslie
