Alpha Baby!

Last night we made the second attempt! I put the harness on little princess Poo and she pretended it was a game, chewing on it as much as possible. She walked around dragging the leash (attached to the harness). I picked up the leash. Lo and behold the mule came back followed immediately by the bucking bronco. I pulled out the bag o' treats (her dinner, actually) and let her smell one. Tried to get her to come for one but she sat on the floor and refused to budge. If she had arms, I'm sure they'd be folded defiantly across her chest! So I dragged her a bit and gave her a treat. I did this down the hallway and out the front door. It was quite the scene to see her sliding across the hardwood floors! I really should have gotten that on video!

I carried her down the steps. When we got on the front lawn, she started to wander, so I followed. Every time she followed me, I'd give her a treat and say "good girl". So I pulled, treated, and praised all the way down the shared driveway. She was starting to get the hang of it when my neighbor came out. Princess pup was nervous but we spent some time on meet and greet while the neighbor and I caught up. We hadn't seen each other all summer! Princess got used to wandering around with the leash and harness on. I'd give her a little tug when she wanted to go further than allowed. So, by the time my neighbor went back inside, the princess was willing to follow me for the treats (she really liked that idea once she figured it out). We made it all the way to the end of the street and would have probably gone further, but I was bored of the game. The alpha had won! :)