Guest Dog Blog--Anna Cole and Claude Giroux

This week's guest dog blog is a young German shepherd named after the Philadelphia Flyers hockey phenom Claude Giroux. His owner Anna Cole plays incredible defense and is a natural leader on the Blizzards womens hockey team with me. Sampson and young Claude have met once or twice at the local rink (with mixed results) when we cheer on our sons or our husbands are there to cut the ice. You can read Anna's post about a recent training lesson with Claude below, or follow along on her Life Coach website and blog.

Claude Giroux -Gets a Quick Lesson -Easy Puppy Training

This is our baby, Claude Giroux, he is quick, agile, smart and very loyal to his team.

We are his team and we want to train this guy.

Look at his face, he wants to work and please.

It's a spring-like day in mid-February and I take him for his morning walk, to practice heeling, him walking by my side on a leash and following my lead. He generally does well at the heel as long as there are no other dogs around.

 

 

I quietly pray today this will be the case.

The sun is shining, and the air is clear. Everything is going well, until we both realize there is another dog walking in front of us. Margo, a community acquaintance of mine, walks her puppy whom is so very obediently at her side.

Margo's puppy reminds me of Lady, from Lady and the Tramp, as she elegantly and obediently walks beside her owner.

Claude, on the other hand, begins pulling and lunging, as normal, wanting to approach the dog ahead of us.

We eventually catch up to the Lady like dog and her owner, and my embarrassment shines bright as I apologize for my lack of control over my thirteen month old shepherd who would love nothing more than to initiate a play date with this adorable female puppy.

I come up with a few excuses for Claude's lack of restraint, He isn't fixed yet, other dogs are a challenge for him...

Margo requests, "Can take him for a bit?" Surprised by her offer, I consent, and we trade leashes.

She proceeds to walk with Claude correcting him with quick jerks to his collar while simultaneous giving him immense amounts of praise and treats. She basically teaches me the ropes of what a walk with Claude can look like, and she seems to do it effortlessly.

AND Claude listens and responds to her methods.

She returns Claude and we decide to walk together.

Whenever Claude begins to lunge out of line anticipating a romp with a dog passing by I use Margo's teaching techniques and this makes for an enjoyable walk.

I am grateful to have met my town's own Cesar Millan.

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BIO: Anna Cole is a Certified Life Coach through premier coaching school Coaches Training Institute. She works with busy moms and professional moms to strengthen their relationships, let go of guilt, improve self confidence, and make time for themselves so they create lives and careers they love.

 You can find out more about Anna here on her website  http://www.annacole.com/