I live with an animal that can out run me, even when I could run.
Given her musculature, and inbred skills, she could knock me down at any time she chooses.
She has teeth that could, if she chose, rip my throat out in an instant. Which she could easily do, because we have been sleeping in the same bed for almost 2 years, now.
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Today, my Echo and I went through training for here "CGC" (Canine Good Citizenship) certification.
Even though, she is an incorrigible flirt, and has problems not trying to interact with other dogs, it appears that another task of the 10 is going to be a greater challenge.
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Before I go on, let me explain some things about Echo.
In the almost 2 years that I have had her, she has only met ONE person that she has not liked, and sh has met A LOT of people. She is one of the most friendly, and gregarious dogs I have ever met.
She likes people, and other dogs. She is spellbound by people on bycicles and motorcycles, and sheep.
Her 4 favorite people, EVER, are, in order: are me, my wife (Amy), Ursula (our trainer), (Ursula and Amy MIGHT be tied ... or Ursula might be second) and Jesus (my son).
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So, today, in training, we were working the CGC tasks.
Once she figured out that we were "working", and she wasn't going to get "play time" with any of the other dogs, she was PERFECT.
UNTIL ...
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Let me back up again, for a moment.
The first time, almost 2 years ago, that Echo and I went to an Advanced Class with Ursula, one of the first things that we did was a simulated test of a CGC task: separation from the owner/handler, while held by a stranger.
On that day, Echo was the ONLY dog that passed that task. She was about 9 months old. The other dogs in the class were 2-5 years old, and had been in training for most of their lives.
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The CGC standard is that, for this task, is that you have to leave your dog with a stranger, and, more or less, they cannot bark for you, or get overly agitated ... for 3 minutes.
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We have done this in this past, in training, recently, with other handlers she knows and likes.
After about 30 seconds, she has hit her limit, once I have gone out of sight.
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Today, we tried it with Ursula as the person holding her. (Remember that Echo LOVES Ursula)
30 seconds was okay.
When we went for a minute, she was anxious, and barked twice. Ursula said she jumped, twice, as well.
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On one hand, I REALLY want her to pass the CGC, and "Public Access Dog"(PAD) certifications, ... and get the VA to prescribe a Service Animal for me. ... So, I was a bit disappointed.
On the hand, hearing her "distress" bark, twice, and the SHEER JOY I saw from her, when I reappeared in the room was, in a weird way, gratifying.
The "distress bark" ripped out my heart. My first instinct was to run to her.
When I reentered the room, we locked eyes, she gave me a look, and a "posture".
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While I want her to be completely successful when we go for the CGC, I am not unhappy that THIS is the 1 task, out of 10, we are struggling with.
On my end of things, she has been "Daddy's 'Little Girl'" for a long time.
Today, for my perception, she CEMENTED, in my mind, that she feels the same way.
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Final anlysis:
I'm frustrated because Echo and I have not earned CGC or PAD certifications.
On the other hand, Echo and I go out often and meet people that have "Service Animals", supposedly accreddited by law, and Echo behaves better than them. (Her vest says "Service Dog In Training")
What I learned today: "My Little Girl" wants to be with me ALL THE TIME ... and, she is motivated, and smart enough to figure out how to be by my side ALL THE TIME. ...
Just don't separate us.
