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Marlys Jun 30, 2008

Just wanted to share with everyone that Maisie graduated from Basic Obedience on Saturday. I didn't take the picture and it's blurry, but was the best one she was able to get. The others were a blond blur.

DENBY30 Jun 30, 2008

  :clap: How wonderful, great picture, CONGRATS!

katiecountrymouse1 Jun 30, 2008

Hi,
You must be a proud mum, well done to Maisie.   :photo:
Love Kayx.  

desertmountainbear Jun 30, 2008

Couldn't be any cuter.  What an adorable dog
Joanne

KJ Lyons Jun 30, 2008

SOoo.....
How did she do in class? Was she a good student or a fool around 
karen

Marlys Jun 30, 2008

Thank you all for commenting. She's really cute but very headstrong.

Karen, she was too interested in the other dogs and her attention span got shorter and shorter. The class was 5 weeks for 90 minutes. I got pretty tired, too. I think it was pretty much a "courtesy" graduation for Maisie. The other dogs really did very well.

The trainers suggested I use a Gentle Leader. It goes around her snout and snaps behind her head and the lead is from the head. It's supposed to keep her better controlled . She hated it, and it didn't look comfortable. After about the third class she was still pulling, rolling over, biting the leash, whining. One of the men asked why she had to wear that thing. I looked at him, then Maisie and said, "So she can't do this."

It's so hot here that we can't go for walks or train outside and we're limited to what we can do inside. I think we'll retake the class in the fall.

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 1, 2008

Oh what a sassy girl!  Our cairn, Bailey, wasn't exactly an A student in basic training either, but he also graduated.
I daresay Maisie will mellow as she gets older . . . maybe by the fall she'll be ready to settle in and be a good girl.
       

KJ Lyons Jul 1, 2008

Maisie is her own self 
Let her be herself. My cat, Cally, came with me across country at 20 years old. Lots of my friends said she couldn't survive it; 8 days at motels every night, and days in the car. She LOVEd it. She loved looking out the windows, she loved Motel 8's every night She got to see Bison and Elk close-up   She has always been a headstrong character but I think that's what has gotten her through life. She just turned 21.
Karen

Carolyn Green Jul 1, 2008

Maisie is very cute    Congratulations!

Hugs
Carolyn

Marlys Jul 1, 2008

Wow, Karen, Cally's 21. That's pretty old for cats, isn't it. Funny she enjoyed the trip across country. I don't know cats, but always heard they don't like to ride in the car. She just wanted to get out and see the world.

Headstrong is is just another word for Scotties. I think most terrier breeds are stong-willed. Very frustrating, but I think that's why I love 'em.

Swan Valley Bears Jul 1, 2008

Well congratulations, Maisie.  Everybody can't be an "A" student, afterall.  She looks quite smart in her graduation attire anyway.

heartsez Jul 1, 2008

Maise is quite the cutie! i have been wondering about this topic myself..we have a harness on skye,,and i can see the signs already..she walks well until she wants something,,and then bounces and pulls like crazy! we thought about a gentle leader and wonder about the rolling and biting,,,,anyone else want to say what they use on their westies or scotties or Cairns? or isi t an age thing? how old is Maise?
i tell ya..i adore my springer but i love the westie breed!  deb

Marlys Jul 1, 2008

Deb, Maisie will be 6 months on July 4th. Your Skye is a cutie, too. I would think, that is hope, that it's a puppy thing and she will, hopefully grow out of it. The weather is so hot here right now and will be through September, that we can't go for walks. We do try to take her with us to places like PetSmart and coffee on Saturday mornings to get her used to being around people.

As for the Gentle Leader, Maisie hated that part around her snout. She could still open her mouth because the strap was high on her nose. We were told that a harness with the lead right under her chin is better than one that puts the lead on the middle of her back. You're supposed to have more control. We did recently buy another harness, a Gentle something or other. It's a small harness that goes across her check and clips up on her back and the lead is under the chin. She's still able to do all the twisting, pulling, etc. We're going to practice as we can this summer and probably repeat the class in the fall.

I'm not surprised that you adore your Skye. There's just something about terriers and I just love them. Good luck with Skye.