lol Carol, I was actualy looking for you and your post on my other post wanting you to know in a p.m. you were faster than me lol.....thanks for your support and interest.

Nothing to report really, except that Ziva doesn't fit under the desk anymore and accomodates the room beside my chair by the coffee table that I have pushed to the couch.

My husband's 2 sons came for the weekend and she enjoyed belly scratches happyly. They are not used to be around dogs especially dogs with Ziva's tendencies, but after following instructions and not having their hands flying upwards she stoped jumping and behaved. Once she got to greet them she quickly forgot about them and lay down. The 12 y.o. is staying with us and even though he is full length on the couch playing video games, feet waggeling she doesn't pay attention to him except bringing him her ball inviting him to play. Willie got to view her roll on her back for a belly scratch from him even though he had a towel on his head hanging as he was bent to pet her and she did not even react to the towel that could have been a strong stimulus for her tug toy is a towel as well.

On our walk before I had many eye contacts with her but yesterday she walked the entire 4km looking at me with what looked like a smile. I was afraid I would not have enough treats in my pouch for the entire walk lol......she was surprisingly glued to my side the entire time.....I was very, very happy about this behavior...she sat at every stop I made to cross the street and even the ones that I improvised in the middle of nowhere.

The passing in front of the gates of the Jack Russel and Welsh Terrier is so good, makes me think that her previous behavior never existed lol....she looks at me then stick her nose to my hand in front of her nose and walks pass them like if they are not there and in results that seemed to have helped their behavior because they just stand there now and don't bark either.

The barking in the yard for sounds is more like a few barks for warning and no longer an obsession of barks without end. As soon she hears me coming out to check it out, she stays there, tail up, then turn to me and come running.

The filling in holes she dug: 2 days ago I dug out 2 tomatoe plants from tomatoes that reseeded themselves from last year. She was there paws and nose....I said "FOOWY" and took her out of there. She barked once then seriously looked at my feet but did not attack them . She controls her pray drive much better....of course there are times that she will reach for my arm, especially when I make the hand sign to "dow" but not as intensely as before.

The tug games has gone down hill.....I am waiting to see Willie about that...Ziva doesn't want to pull on it....her only desire is to get it and run away with it to shake it and have me chase her or she follows me with it in her mouth like if she would be on a leash.

I have a different dog....and she a different leader....I am so glad I did not give up on her....I would have missed out on all the rewards I have been experiencing these past few weeks and the possibilities of sharing many years of happyness with her. She lays down beside me on the floor, resting her head on my arm beside mine and enjoying kisses.....I loved her before but now I am crazy about this dog that is on its way to be a wonderful friend.

I understand that I will have to face situations where she will try me, but I am confident that I will be able to handle them and have a positive outcome. She looks at me with respect.....she knows that I am fair to her and respects her needs as well.

Solange...what a great update. So glad that so many wonderful people were able to help you and that the results have been so positive.

 Quote: Marj Remland

Solange...what a great update. So glad that so many wonderful people were able to help you and that the results have been so positive.

Me too, Solange! GOOD WORK!

Fantastic!
I think you made a few of us nervous in the beginning but your turning Ziva into a very nice companion.

Solange, you don't know how much your posts have given me the determination to keep working on my precious pup who has challenged me once very strongly. Nothing compared to what you have experienced mind you

I read your words and I can almost hear the courage and single mindedness desire in you not to give up.

You inspire me and I am so happy for you and yes, you will handle the next challenge because it's worth it.

I hope to keep reading about all your experiences with Ziva - I will be rooting for you with all my being.

Yes, there are risks but life is a risk, crossing the road is a risk, driving a car and so on and so on .. and what better risk than to have a companion who will love you with the kind of devotion these strong willed dogs have. (I am sure I am using the wrong terms lol but strong willed it is for me)

But you are wise too and I know you will make the right choice if things change but lets not even put that thought out into the Universe

Bless all that are helping you. I have angels in my life too.

Wonderful replies, thank you all.

Her territorial dominance has droped to just an aknowledment of me coming to the object now. Before the couch she would chew on was a reason to growled at me all teeth and jumping for my arm, now she just takes her nose away to a "FOOWY", then I quickly say "DOWN" and she does.....in the yard if she picks up a piece of roof tile she dug up, When I come to take it out of her mouth she doesn't growl, nose down, looking at me in a 45°....she bows, tail wagging thinking it is a game...... I think it is safe to say that she is HAPPY.... her eyes are always soft, I don't see this challenging look in them anymore....she allows me to open her mouth to retrieve what ever there is in there she doesn't want to drop on her own.

I think what ever she felt before is now TRUST..... she liks my face when I give her kisses with her eyes half closed, years down as before she was so rough she would nip me not knowing how to give affection in a nice way.......

True Maggie, life is full of risks, we chose to go out and live with those risks or stay home in a bubble.....Ziva was and still is a challenge, but the challenges are different now.....it is like educating a toddler, then a 5 year old then a teenager..... and you wake up and they are adults....either responsable ones or friends you would'nt want to bring home to your parents lol.

I think (sure) now that week 2 of trial is at its end, that Ziva is staying....she proved over and over her will to go by my rules and that our life suites her. She will become a good dog that I will be able to bring out on BBQ and parks......

Now it is time, from my point of view, to start a more structured obedience training. I will be looking for a canine club in our area and take her around other dogs and people in serious movement. Willie also thinks that a club environment will be good for her. She will be going to school lol. and persue her education.

I put everything I had in this dog,,,,and stil do....heart and soul. I lost 13lb in the process lol but gain a load of confidence and I feel that the worst has passed and what is coming will seem like smooth sailling compare to the past 5 months.

I am glad I listened to my guts feelings that kept saying....try again, and again, and again.....She was obviously put on my path because I was the one able to understand her and give her a life she deserves. Even though I did not know that for sure at the beginning.....I am glad I listened to the little angle on my left shoulder instead to the one on my right lol.....

I am also happy if my experience with Ziva helped others to get a good grasp to their leash and kept trying..... More often the problem is always at the other end of the leash not at the dog's end. And it is obvious that even with all the determination and will I had deep in me, without Willie that so generously and courageously offered to help from the beginning of my cry for help, NONE OF THAT WOULD BE HAPPENING. I am for ever gratefull to everyone that helped with their words, expertise, and knowledge. Ziva and I feel blessed.

I will report in a week or so

cheers everyone!!!

Just awesome!

Can't wait to video chat again Solange! I'm looking forward to seeing your newly found leadership in action :-)

 Quote: Solange Boivin

Wonderful replies, thank you all.

Her territorial dominance has droped to just an aknowledment of me coming to the object now. Before the couch she would chew on was a reason to growled at me all teeth and jumping for my arm, now she just takes her nose away to a "FOOWY", then I quickly say "DOWN" and she does.....in the yard if she picks up a piece of roof tile she dug up, When I come to take it out of her mouth she doesn't growl, nose down, looking at me in a 45°....she bows, tail wagging thinking it is a game...... I think it is safe to say that she is HAPPY.... her eyes are always soft, I don't see this challenging look in them anymore....she allows me to open her mouth to retrieve what ever there is in there she doesn't want to drop on her own.

I think what ever she felt before is now TRUST..... she liks my face when I give her kisses with her eyes half closed, years down as before she was so rough she would nip me not knowing how to give affection in a nice way.......

True Maggie, life is full of risks, we chose to go out and live with those risks or stay home in a bubble.....Ziva was and still is a challenge, but the challenges are different now.....it is like educating a toddler, then a 5 year old then a teenager..... and you wake up and they are adults....either responsable ones or friends you would'nt want to bring home to your parents lol.

I think (sure) now that week 2 of trial is at its end, that Ziva is staying....she proved over and over her will to go by my rules and that our life suites her. She will become a good dog that I will be able to bring out on BBQ and parks......

Now it is time, from my point of view, to start a more structured obedience training. I will be looking for a canine club in our area and take her around other dogs and people in serious movement. Willie also thinks that a club environment will be good for her. She will be going to school lol. and persue her education.

I put everything I had in this dog,,,,and stil do....heart and soul. I lost 13lb in the process lol but gain a load of confidence and I feel that the worst has passed and what is coming will seem like smooth sailling compare to the past 5 months.

I am glad I listened to my guts feelings that kept saying....try again, and again, and again.....She was obviously put on my path because I was the one able to understand her and give her a life she deserves. Even though I did not know that for sure at the beginning.....I am glad I listened to the little angle on my left shoulder instead to the one on my right lol.....

I am also happy if my experience with Ziva helped others to get a good grasp to their leash and kept trying..... More often the problem is always at the other end of the leash not at the dog's end. And it is obvious that even with all the determination and will I had deep in me, without Willie that so generously and courageously offered to help from the beginning of my cry for help, NONE OF THAT WOULD BE HAPPENING. I am for ever gratefull to everyone that helped with their words, expertise, and knowledge. Ziva and I feel blessed.

I will report in a week or so

cheers everyone!!!

What David Winners said: Just AWESOME, Solange -- Very inspirational post !!! Looking forward to more good reports

Ziva is like an athlete....her progress periodization has some down...