A serendipitous walk with Izzy...

We're going out with friends tonight.  Afterward, my husband's son and his wife are coming over, around 11pm, to spend the night.  They are driving up from Arcadia, California to check on their  rental condo.  So, I decided to take Izzy for a nice, long walk, to "poop her out". We were gone for a little over two hours.  I think I have successfully tuckered her out!  Myself as well!

I watched the Dog Whisperer last night, and also went on his website and read some of his tips.  I discovered I am allowing Izzy to be the Alpha Dog by walking in front of me.  I am not suppose to be allowing her to be first out of the door either.  The DW profiled two German Shepherds that get along, until they are in day care, then the female attacks the male dog.  Turns out, the owner was not sending out good vibes and the female dog was trying to help her.  The DW said it was important to remain calm and be in control.

He also profiled a Schnauzer who barked and bit a couple's grandchildren, so the parent stopped all visitation at their home, due to the dog.  The DW used the "Shhhhhhhh!" command , along with being calm and in control to stop the dog from barking.

So I decided to try some of the techniques while on our walk.  I have to say, by keeping her on a shorter lead, so she has to walk beside me, instead of ahead of me, really made a difference!  Not only am I going to lose weight, walking Izzy, my arms are getting a real work out holding her back!!!

Whenever we encounter a larger dog, Izzy barks her head off, growling and doing the "sled dog lunge" to get to the dog.  Today, I kept her right by my side, and used the "Shhhhhh" command, and it worked!!!  She growled and kept looking at the dog, but the more I "shhhhhhhed" the quieter and calmer she became.  AMAZING!

It was a serendipitous walk with Izzy. Today we met a very nice woman and her husband.  She used to have three Shitzus. She shared her training tips with me and I found them very unique and interesting.  We stood and chatted for awhile, and Izzy behaved herself.  She leaned over and picked up some pieces of Corian, and explained she had some work done in her home.  We have the same model of home, and she explained how she had the Corian extended and curved over above her toilet in the guest bathroom.

She was friendly enough to take me inside her home (while I held Izzy) to show me her handyman's work.  While showing me that, she showed me the cabinets built in her master closet (we have huge master closets in our particular model, it is the size of a bedroom.) She had beautiful oak cabinets and curio shelf in her laundry room, and the Handyman even made a Grandmother Clock from scratch!  It was beautiful!!!  She hooked me up with his name and phone number.

She also told me she does landscaping and also uses a landscaper I had heard of, from another friend, and whom I had recently gotten an estimate.  She told me about the free coffee grounds for gardening from Starbucks, and showed me how she uses it around her plants.  Apparently it really feeds the plant and enriches the soil.

She showed me her back yard (which was gorgeous) and wouldn't you know, there was a big dog living next door.  Izzy saw it and began to bark, and again, the "Shhhhhhh!" command worked. I felt so much more relaxed, knowing what to do, instead of yanking her back on the leash, yelling, "HEY! HEY!!".  The "Shhhhh" command is so much more pleasant, than yelling in some one's face while having a conversation!!

We really hit it off, and I enjoyed meeting both her and her husband.  She told me she has Tuesdays off and for me to drop in any time. We exchanged phone numbers. I spend more time alone, than I care to, so it is so great to meet someone I click with and would enjoy her company.  Thanks Izzy girl, it would not have happened, if it weren't for you...