Road Trip brag-part three

[DngrsDan]

Why is it your friends never seems to understand it when you tell them your girl/guy does NOT play well with other dogs?

The friend I visited with was having a birthday that weekend and I went up for a pre-party meeting and to show her Josie.
I dearly love Vickie. She would be be right at home in mid Haight Ashbury during the 60's. A Dead Head hippy chick.
(Dead Head as in fan of the Grateful Dead, not as in "dead head"!)
She's a free spirited, caring, open outdoorsy type.....with 4 dogs.

When I arrived at her house she wanted to introduce her dog, Milo-a graying labradour, who "....gets along with any dog...." Before I could stop her she opened her door to let Milo out - unleashed.

Does your girl/guy do that rottie full alert stance with the stare that can stun a pomeranian at ten paces?
That's what Josie did.

So I totally understand Milo's actions - he went ballistic and came in low snapping/barking at Josie.
I kept Josie in control and Vic got Milo put in the back yard. No one got bit.
Hey, Josie gave old Milo the stand & stare on HIS turf, so Milo defended his turf. Don't blame him, can't blame Josie.
Vickie has other friends popping in and out with their dogs who play with hers, so Josie should fit right in too. Right?
*I'll wait while I count how many hands are up in agreement-this shouldn't take long......*
I've been trying to socialize Josie to other dogs by taking her for walks past fenced in dogs.
First attempt ended with 2 shelties and a daschund charging her that some owner had out unleashed. After she and her daughter got control of her dogs I was able to get Josie to walk away a short distance then had her
do some commands, she calmed down nicely.
So the NEXT time she meets another dog this happens to her.
~Lord save us!~

Once inside Josie stuck with me as I met Vic's other friends who were there, never interrupting or intruding.
I showed Vic and her friends how well Josie responded to my hand signal commands, and finished by giving her a "free" command to let her wander and meet people.
(I always end her training sessions with "free" and lots of loving.)
She went to everyone and greeted them then came right back over and sat next to me, including the "lean".
Everywhere I went in the house Josie stayed right with me.
If I was standing around she sat at my side, if I was sitting she laid at my feet.
If someone called her she would look to me for her "free" before going to them.
She was not reacting that way because of the dogs outside, she was in no way upset by them. She'd glance at the door if they got noisy then ignore it.

Found out the next day that Josie was the topic of talk for the rest of the night after I left.

Damn I got lucky with Josie. She made me EXTREMELY proud of her! I SO love this dog!

***SHORT SIDE NOTE***

I kinda freaked myself out at my friends house. I never tried giving another dog commands before.
Inside of 10 minutes I had her four dogs all sitting on hand signal! In a line! I may have found a calling!

[excellrott]

That was an awesome story.........so glad you got the best of the bunch with Josie! And you just may have a talent there, show your stuff.

[Lola B Marie]

You certainly have an amazing dog.Thank you for being generous enough to share your adventures with her, both past and present. There is something so special about your connection with Josie. I get the feeling it's the extreme bond of trust you have with her.
My first rottie girl (my heart dog) Sheena Marie, was a lot like your Josie. I wish she could have lived forever. She was like a kind person and changed the minds of all who were afraid of the breed. She was so special that friends would call me and ask if Sheena could come over if one of their kids didn't feel well. I once took her by taxi to pick my car up and the driver was so impressed with her ,he offered to pick her up if she needed to go to the vet or the groomer.
I am so happy for you. Your girl is a gem and I know you treasure her.

[DngrsDan]

excel & Lola,
thank you for your kind words.
Yes, I have to admit we have a bond. Surprises me sometimes how deep it is.
While I knew Josie would behave if I had to correct her, she amazed me by doing all the correct things on her own. There was never a need to correct her or direct her. Didn't expect it but recognized that she was doing it.
On the trip she would poke her head between the seat to see where we were at when I would start driving, I'd tell her to lay down and she'd curl up on her bed. If she needed a potty stop she would stretch head head up, nudge my elbow with her nose, and whine at me.
As I type this she is at my feet. Later when I move to the couch ( MAYBE 10 feet away ) she will be there too at my feet.

I've mentioned this before - but I used to HATE dogs. I've discovered a lot of the dislike was more the owners fault than the dog's. I cannot stand an undisciplined dog. And that is laid squarely on the owners shoulder when the dog acts up, or the owner is being irresponsible. Josie's intellegence and eagerness to learn and perform was something I wasn't acquainted with. That and the love and trust she shows to me has won me over.

They are a special breed.

Thanks again.