AA> He's bound to start "test" his limits with you anytime!   Make sure
 AA> you have the STAY and SIT down pat - do those commands OFTEN even
 AA> when he's out on his free time in the park.
Yep, I do.  He's slowly getting the hang of "stay".  As for testing his 
limits, I think he's already started doing that.  He has taken to growling 
occasionaly, which I will *not* tolerate, since it's dominant behaviour.  So 
I make sure I can take his food away whenever I feel like it, and I still 
roll him over on his stomach and have him go into a submissive posture every 
now and then.
 AA> Monster is getting better at distance control.   He joins me for
 AA> the few minutes I let him go when I walk to the end of the driveway
 AA> to get the mail.  I tell him "Let's get the Mail!" and he knows to
 AA> start heading down the driveway.   But when I hear a car coming, I
 AA> want him to pay attention and not get into an accident.  So.. I'll
 AA> yell at him with "Monster?  STAY" if he's at a safe spot, or
 AA> "Monster, COME! COME! COME!" (fast 3 times really seems to work
 AA> better for him than just one loud call).   
Sounds good.  You had the extra challenge of having to work with a full grown 
dog though.  In this respect, I'm lucky that I got Ben as a pup.  I should 
try the three-time come command.  Steve just pants and acts silly when he 
wants Ben to come.  You should hear him. :\
 AA> Monster (although primarily black) has lighter fur on the paws. 
 AA> But he has large black stripes on his paws that make it look like
 AA> he's got huge or painted claws.   I never really paid attention to
 AA> that before until one dog-lover mentioned that to me.  I have one
 AA> picture of Monster where a bit of this can been seen.   Maybe I'll
 AA> fire that one off to you.
You keep promising to send pictures, but I never get them! ;)  I can't wait 
to meet Monster (and you of course).  I've made a deal with my folks about 
their car, since they just bought a new van, and I will probably be able to 
come visit soon.
Chris
eb011@freenet.carleton.ca
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