Okay, so I have been working hard with Rocky...taking him everywhere I go, taking him for walks around other dogs and people when I can find them out here.

Well, yesterday really proved to me that I have been successful in working with him. We had our first visitor to the farm since my last post. I took Rocky out (on leash, of course) about 3 feet from the man who was visiting. I explained to the man that he can not touch Rocky and that I am trying to get Rocky used to being around people. I told Rocky to sit, he did, he NEVER pulled, never barked, never whined...nothing. He did great, for the most part he acted like the man wasn't even around. I walked him around the man while he was talking to my husband (about a 3 - 4 foot distance away)and he still acted like the man wasn't even there.

Well, later we went for a walk and for the first time ever, there were other people out walking. Rocky stayed with me, no pulling on the leash, no barking, no apparent distress. He did great.

We walked on past the 2 dogs that we have been walking past and while he whined a little, it was more like a friendly, "want to go meet them" kind of whine. However, he stayed with me, with only minor pulling on the leash. I stopped him, told him to sit, worked with him on a few obedience commands in front of the dogs house and then we were able to go on with no other problems.

Thank you so much for all the input on my original post on this topic.

Also, the donkey is leaving the farm. She is friendly to other (stray) dogs, but completely hostile to Rocky. We had strays come up yesterday and she walked up to them and sniffed them...stupid donkey!!!!! lol

..that's GREAT Theresa!!! I really appreciate a bit of training good news by someone right now!
(...and sorry -but it's kind of good about that donkey too! Just seemed to have it in for your boy huh?)

Great to hear the progress you've made with him Theresa!! Isn't great to see your hard work paying off like that? Thanks for the update

And good on the donkey, too. I couldn't see any hope for that situation getting any better and it had the possibility of getting worse.

Teresa, I haven't yet read about your dog prior to this post, but I'd like to say congrats to you and your dog.

As I adopt problem animals (with dogs, they're adults), I certainly appreciate the work that you and your dog had to do to reach such a milestone.

Awesome. You must be very proud of the hard work that both of you put into it.

Yes, it is just so wonderful to see hard work pay off. I have gone out of my way many times just to expose him to different things and it has really paid off.

I just took him for a walk around the farm and we walked right past the mini-horses and he did great, but as soon as the donkey saw us she started running for us. Thankfully, by then I was almost at the gate to our yard. I can't wait for her to leave the farm bec I worry all the time about the kids leaving latches off the gates and him "accidentally" getting out...it hasn't happened yet, in over a year, but the potential is still there.

Thanks again for all the encouragement.

Poor Rocky has a donkey stalker.

Congratulations on the progress you've made! Doesn't it feel GOOD? Be proud.

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

Poor Rocky has a donkey stalker.

Funny, a donkey stalker, never thought of that before. NOT for long...hehehe (evil laugh)