But here's the kicker, I don't want to go to back to the way I was walking with Chance. My arm not being pulled out of it's socket is reason enough. So this is where the tricky part come for me, learning to stand my ground. I think the thing that trips me up when he testing me, is I feel like everything has failed at this point. He's not doing what I want, he's pushing the boundaries and I feel like all my hard work isn't paying off anymore. All the progress and hard work and NOW you're giving me a hard time? What happen, we were working so well together and now you want to start pushing my buttons? It's like part of me can't comprehend what is happening after things were going so well. I take it personal.
I did realize something on our last walk, that it is still going to take some time for him to accept this is the way we walk now. Recognizing that changes don't happen overnight, even in the dog world, is progress on my part. Things take time. We are still in the beginning stages and there are still many things to overcome. Chance doesn't have a lot of leash time, for the length of his three year life. So I can't expect things to move that quickly. I guess it's going to take a little tough love on my part to reinforce what he has learnt so far. Not one of my stronger suits in this area, but I refuse to give up now, no matter how hard he wants to try :) For once I'm not backing down. I've took that route too many times only to find myself back at the same starting point. And really I'd don't want to give up now. Wish me luck!
How do you handle the testing phases in your training? What helps you through?