Most Improved!

H

Horse Chestnut

Forums Regular
A year ago my little rescue, Ida, was sitting in a pen or a crate, probably with a litter of puppies around her. That is how she spent the first 5 years of her life. Tonight she graduated from her very first obedience class. And she tied for the most improved dog! That's not to say she was the best in the class; far from it. But her first time in the ring she quivered in fear. Now she knows a sit, can heel without falling back - sometimes - and will let a person other than me touch her. And when the instructor played "Pomp and Circumstance" on her iPhone, Ida pricked her ears up and cocked her head like the dog in the RCA record ads! She still has a hard time making eye contact with me in the ring, and I miss that so much, but as the farmer in the movie Babe said: "That'll do".
 
What a wonderful achievement! Lovely to hear stories like this. It sounds like Ida has come an incredibly long way in just a year. She is so lucky to have found you. Well done to you both!
 
Hannah said:
What a wonderful achievement! Lovely to hear stories like this. It sounds like Ida has come an incredibly long way in just a year. She is so lucky to have found you. Well done to you both!
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Could not have said it better Hannah!
How exhilarating it must feel to have made it so far and your support and LOVE made it happen!
There is nothing like obedience classes to build a dogs confidence! Go Ida!

Cheers! :smile2:
 
Kudos to both you and Ida for a year of progress. It is always so heartwarming to see a little dog blossom. Ida is blessed to have found a loving patient Mom to stay the journey with her. The eye contact will come and that day will be cause for huge celebration! :smile2:

Trini
 
WAHOO!! WTG Ida! There is nothing better to hear than a great story that continues to get better and better every day. Your patience is paying off mom, and one day soon the eye contact will come when your baby realizes that you are the one that she can put her complete trust in and know that you will always keep her safe. :fl :hugs
 
Thank you so much everyone! I wish Ida could read, so she'd know how many good folk are sending their love and support to her. This has actually only been three months for Ida, since I adopted her in May. And she is the most difficult and damaged dog I have ever had in my life. And it's not due to her being mean, or destructive, or not housebroken. It's because she is so sad and fearful. Even now she is still afraid to approach anyone standing upright; she always stops just out of arms reach. It's as if she says, "I so want to come, but it's so scary!" So I have to get my middle-aged, overweight, bad-kneed carcass down on the floor with her. :lol: Anyway, I'll be taking her to another class in September (Thanks Columbus All-Breed Training Club!) and we'll see what the future brings.
 
Horse Chestnut said:
Thank you so much everyone! I wish Ida could read, so she'd know how many good folk are sending their love and support to her. This has actually only been three months for Ida, since I adopted her in May. And she is the most difficult and damaged dog I have ever had in my life. And it's not due to her being mean, or destructive, or not housebroken. It's because she is so sad and fearful. >>>
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That is amazing progress for just 3 months. I have found that the most damaged, frightened ones are the ones who initially break our hearts and later bring us the greatest joy and with whom we often develop the deepest bond. :smile2: Making that journey together is special.

Trini
 
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