I say ‘we’ because the experience was as much about training myself and Rose as it was about Zoe learning stuff. Zoe is doing awesomely well these days. She is walking on a loose lead all the time, will sit, drop, watch, fetch, give, jump up, and jump down (ie on a low wall or into a car). She sleeps indoors between a couple of baby barriers with no fuss and holds her bladder all night. She comes when called most of the time, can can be pretty easily walked away even from a situation she finds really exciting. She’s coping with the excitement of visitors, people walking past the house, and cyclists much better than ever before. She has really only 2 major Achilles heels, her fascination with cats, and her fascination with other dogs. Her capacity to follow any of these instructions with either in the vicinity is very low – which is why I’m so surprised we pulled off a pass! Even managed a 4 second watch with a gorgeous Labrador puppy right next to us!

The plan is now to go on to advanced training and later on, agility classes, and to work on finding her new friends to hang out with and play as she is clearly quite lonely for other dog company. We’re also going to work on the first sleepovers at Rose’s place with her, when we feel strong enough. 🙂 I can’t leave her alone at night so I’m pretty house bound unless I put her in a kennel, which is a pretty horrible place for her to be. Hopefully I’ll get her used to travelling and sleeping in a crate and that will open doors to camping etc again. 🙂

It’s been very hard work but I have learned a lot and owe a huge debt of gratitude to the trainers who’ve helped us out. When I go down to the beach at 1am to sit and write poetry, I’m grateful to have a lovely dog there who sticks by me and makes me feel very safe. Rose and I can walk hand in hand with Zoe almost anywhere and be free from harassment. She’s affectionate and sweet and full of life. It’s still a challenge some days, when Rose is sick but I have to go home to look after Zoe, when I’m exhausted and in pain and she needs a walk, when Zoe refuses to stop harassing the poor cat, or eats something off the washing line. But, many days are good days, with a routine that works, good walks, cuddles on the couch, and a happy dog.