My Rowdy Dog is Starting to Respond to Training

I have told many stories about Grayson. The one that seems to come to everyone’s mind is him standing on the coffee table and throwing lint around like a fool. Well, these are funny stories, and I laugh, but to be honest, they also wear me out. Like one of my friends told me, “I was worn out just reading about what happened.” That made me chuckle, since it is an everyday experience for me.

I hope every day that Grayson will learn something new and become more like Kaiah. Kaiah is my baby girl, 4 years old and wonderful. Kaiah does great under voice control. When I say, “Mommy has to go to work," Kaiah runs into hers and Grayson’s room, lies down and waits for me to shut the door.

Side note: This is something I have had to do because of Grayson’s “puppy” actions, such as chewing up the footboard, tearing the covers off hardback books, eating shoes and a whole package of toilet paper he found when he opened the closet! After all of this, I chose to allow them to have one room all to themselves with all of their toys and blankets so I do not get so upset when I come home.

Back to Kaiah. She also comes when I yell for her, sits and waits for her food, does not come in the kitchen while I am cooking, and most importantly does not run from me at the dog park when she is in trouble, which is rare, or when we are leaving.

All of these are traits I hope Grayson will someday have. He is doing well, so far. He understands to leave the kitchen when I tell him, although he tries me time and time again.  Grayson will sit and wait for his food, and he does run into his room, but I have to tell him a couple of times. However, at the dog park he ignores me until he is ready and he runs from me. Not to mention lying in mud puddles.

Recently, however, we had a breakthrough! I had Kaiah, Grayson, and their foster pal Dahlia at the dog park and we saw a storm coming. When I stood up to go toward Grayson so we could leave, he started to go the other way. I decided to put Kaiah and Dahlia in the car and go back for Grayson so I did not have three dogs to wrestle if it started to rain. When I got to the gate, I looked back and he was still watching me, so I thought, “Ok, I am going to try.” I started yelling for him, telling him to come on. I said this a couple of times, and guess what? He started running to the gate to leave with us! I was as proud as a mommy when her child learns to walk. 

I know it is all going to come in time, and I know that Grayson is very smart – especially since he knows how to open the closet – but sometimes it seems it is taking forever. Maybe I am just spoiled by my girl Kaiah, or maybe he is independent and hardheaded, but I love them both no matter what. I can also now see light at the end of the tunnel.

Try Grayson's new trick yourself at a local dog park.