Well, the rain stopped nicely in time for class at 9.30 this morning and we arrived in plenty of time. There was no-one else about so I went into the enclosure and let Maya off for a romp. She was all over the place, so happy to be free, but she came when called and we had a little game of chase. Yes, I was running (ish………. not a pretty sight in my yellow coat like some demented banana).
Four other dogs today, 2 labs, a cockapoo and a springapoo.
The chocolate lab we’d already encountered on our very first lesson way back in April (third owner/dog on the left, left hand picture)
and it had a go at Maya. It did the same today and it appears it was attacked by a GSD as a pup. I didn’t know that.
Maya yelped, and backed behind me, but she didn’t retaliate. It was good in a way as she has to learn that not every dog likes her being in their face all the time. I remember that Kela reprimanded her once but they were soon friends again.
Photo March 26th. Maya’s almost as big as Kela now.
The other was a black lab and a bit wary of other dogs. However, he and Maya were introduced and it was all very positive and polite. In fact, as his owner and I were chatting, the little girl with the springapoo (also set on by a GSD when a small pup and so nervous of big dogs) was confident to bring her dog up to meet Maya and she was very good with him too. It seems Maya was therapy for three out of the four dogs there today!
We had to mingle and weave amongst each other, and Maya soon got into the swing of things and was content to trot alongside me. The cockapoo was pulling on the lead so she had some one on one with our trainer. It was a very good lesson, back to basics, and exactly what we needed. Hubby stayed in the car, so Maya had to concentrate on me and it seemed to work very well.
By the end of the lesson, all of the dogs were sociable with each other and I know we are right to now go twice a week, even if it’s only for a few months. The socialising will be good for Maya and the leadwork good for me, plus it’s different dogs in each group.
I’ve walked her this evening to deliver a letter to someone in the next road as it was left here by mistake. It was a decent walk and deserving of a good 8½ as she pulled a bit after seeing a couple of rabbits, but I do feel we are getting there.
Photos: Left March 12th, right July 22nd. Same dog, honest.
pensitivity101 
Sounds like a very positive outcome. 😊
She did very well today, bless her.
Well done all in all a great lesson 👍
She did me proud today, especially after Sunday
Good girl 💜💜💜
😀
You had me rolling at the demented banana! Maya is still the most beautiful GSD! Such a good idea to have the lessons. A trained dog is so much easier on life in the long run!
She can be such hard work, but it will all be so worth it. We need the extra lessons as once a week isn’t really enough, plus she had a month off for her ‘period’.
Are you thinking about breeding? She would make some beautiful babies! I agree that working on it now will have its benefits for sure.
The jury’s out on that at the moment, but chatting to our trainer who is a GSD breeder, he agrees with me not to think about it until she is at least two.
I am so back and forth about getting another dog. I know Brody would love it but I don’t know if I want the extra work. I still want to go and get the oldest pup out of the pound and let them come home to rest out their last days!
It’s a tough call. I didn’t want another dog after we lost Maggie, but I obviously didn’t handle it as well as I thought I was as Hubby said I was shit without a dog! We thought about a rescue, but all the ones we came across had issues about socialising, and as I love all dogs, it would not be fair to expect our new baby to accept it, hence a puppy as it would grow up with it. Maya is a gift, a big fluffy lummoxy teddy bear who has made her own place in our hearts. We have had both her and Kela together when our friend was in hospital, and with two large dogs, it was OK but we had to juggle.
That is the one thing I lucked out with with Brody. I didn’t even pick him and he ended up with me out of default but he is madly in love with me and I can’t get enough of him! I do miss the big bear hugs of my GSDs! I see them and my heart explodes!
Maya is a big teddy bar
It’s so lovely when your dog is therapy for another. They such great creatures 🤩
Maya has a wonderful temperament. She’s bouncy and always wants to play as she’s still a puppy…………… but a BIG one!
It sounds very positive! So glad it went so well!
🙂