[cigwyllt]

There's a new dog trainer in town!!!!

Following a car accident 2 weeks ago I had to stay with my parents because I couldn't manage the stairs into our house - living area upstairs, bedroom downstairs. The following day my daughter brought Manny out because he was pining for me so we stayed with my parents for just over a week and he has picked up some of Bonzo's bad habits - including a desire to warn me about a car door being closed three streets away or a sparrow landing on next door's roof!

My youngest daughter, age 9, has taken it upon herself to break him of the habit. When he starts to bark she walks up to him, gently strokes his neck and speaks softly to him "Now Manny, you know better than that!" and each time he looks sheepish and stops barking! What an example of gentle, respectful leadership!

[CorkyMax]

Hey Cig, that is neat/cute! Now could you call your daughter the 'true dog whisperer!'

[lange]

lol And literally right you are, C/M.

Cig, sorry about the car accident. It must have been a rough one for you to have to recoup for so long. I hope no one was seriously hurt & your back to normal.

it's always interesting to see how dogs can rub off on eachother too! Love dog behavior.

[cigwyllt]

It was horrible accident - we were on the motorway, a car ahead of us lost control, spun round and we collided head on! The car is a write off. The highways department said we were lucky to get out alive. My husband has whiplash and I've done something to my knee and have to use a frame or crutches while I wait for surgery.

Manny has been a devoted companion - not that there would be any doubt. I sent him home for a couple of hours each afternoon so he would eat with the others and to give Bonzo some space and he would come back to me around 5 ish, stopping for a wee on the way in and then he literally would not leave my side until I took him outside the next morning.

He has had a positive effect on Bonzo. He doesn't appreciate being bounced on - and neither do I - but he would put Bonzo in his place if he started getting over exuberant. In the past week Bonzo has been so much calmer, sitting in front of visitors instead of on them and generally being much more civilised.

[lange]

That sounds horrible!! I've been in a couple car accidents in my life, one which was also serious and on a highway as well. I seen my life flash before my eyes so I can imagine what you must be feeling. (hugs to you and hubby) Times like these you truly realize just how delicate life is. I'm glad you did survive!! I'm just sorry you're both hurting. I'll keep you both in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

Is it any wonder we love our dogs like we do? Manny sounds like such a good boy. I'm not sure your parents are going to want either of you to ever leave. lol How old is Bonzo now? It's hard to keep time as it seems to blur together and even more with dogs!

[cigwyllt]

He's 14 months. He is gorgeous. Mad as a hatter but so soft and eager to please. If my parents had gone out with a shopping list of what they wanted in a dog so far as personality and attitude are concerned they could not have had a better match. He loves everyone now, he was very nervous of men other than my dad, and he is especially fond of children. If my parents ever decide he is too much he is moving in with me!