Can It Be True?

So, we had our "free" consultation yesterday evening with "Better Dog." We are officially signed up! Apparently, we have roughly 5 in-home training sessions where the trainer comes to your home and works with your dog for a very intense hour. She will work on the areas we have suggested- whether it be "lay down" and "stay" or "don't destroy that other dog!" (Of course, there weren't many areas we left blank on the sheet!) Once they have taught the dog the commands, we then come into the picture . . . and well, are taught as well! We are also offered 12 months of "group training" lessons . . . which, will no doubt be the major challenge. We are EXTREMELY excited to get this going! Both Grady and I are incredibly interested to see the trainer in action! Although, we are expected to do "homework" with Salsa daily, we are most interested to see everything that is expected to be accomplished in a matter of 5 hours! Of course, she did leave with, " . . . oh, we're excited to have a challenge!"
Goodness.

Trav and the Band

Friday night we went to the "Red Tub" downtown to see Travis, our brother-in-law, in "The Ron Dunbar Band!" They were awesome!!!

BETTER DOG!

GREAT NEWS!
A while ago, Grady and I saw a van on the interstate with an advertisement about dog training and a website: www.betterdog.com . We've been debating about it, and debating about it . . . but Grady surprised me yesterday evening by actually calling and setting up an appointment!! Our first training is THIS MONDAY!!! I can't believe it! The trainer first comes to your home to work with you and your dog. Once your dog is ready, (which may be a while, in Salsa's case) we then take her to "group training" with other dogs . . . this, of course, worries me! Anyways, I'll be sure to keep you posted!

A day with . . . "the dog."

No doubt, we will take full responsibility for Salsa's actions . . . her jumping, and whining, and barking at every SINGLE THING THERE IS! Yes, Ceasar, it is our fault, we know. After Monday though, it became evident Ceasar would most definitely refer to her as a "Red Zone Dog." Clearly, I had no idea her disobedience was this incredibly far gone.

Looks so sweet, doesn't she?

We finally get to the Clemson Extention trails . . . collar AND harness ON . . .

Okay, so things are going fine . . . pulling and tugging as usual . . . very eager to sniff and figure out . . .

Yes, perfectly fine . . . ALONE.

Of course, I don't have pictures of our next encounter . . . the poor and innocent family of 3- mom, dad, BABY, and old, FAT, HARDLY WALKING black lab that "OUR DOG" chases down and tries to DESTROY! As soon as she saw them, she pulls and tugs and barks and BARKS! So badly, that I literally had no way of controlling her. She some how wiggled out of the harness that was attached to her and ran straight for them. It was horrible. The mom grabbing for her collar that inevitably broke off . . . the dad holding the BABY up in the air . . . the sweet, old black lab hunched down . . . and me yelling, "Salsa, come, Salsa . . . I'M SO SORRY! I'M SO SORRY!"

It was horrific.

Eventally, I was able to grab a hold of her neck and pull her away. I got her in the car, shaking and hardly able to drive. I stopped and thanked God there wouldn't be a lawsuit to tell Grady about.

I couldn't believe it. I was so mad and frustrated that this is the dog she had become. Why? Why is it that I can control 20- 5 year olds everyday, but can't seem to even get A DOG to simply sit, stay, or lay down. Yes, I watch "Ceasar" and his MAGICAL power to make any dog submit to him. Yes, I've read his book from cover to cover, every page giving me more and more confidence that I, too, can stand strong, confident and ready to control. uhh.

I'm still getting over the episode, unsure what we'll do about her behavior . . .
I can't help but hope this isn't a sign of what's to come with our HUMAN children. For now, I guess I'll start calling her Salsa again and stop referring to her as "the dog."

Open For Business!

Well, "The Maduro Room" is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Saturday night we celebrated the GRAND OPENING! We wanted to thank everyone for coming and showing such support! You all mean the world to us, and we are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!

Snow Delay!

Though it only lasted about 20 mintues, it sure was pretty!
More importantly, it allowed me to go into work
2 hours later! Not half bad!