Dogs are hard.
I’ve never ever claimed to be a MASTER DOG OWNER, but Pippa was so easy. Tons of energy, when she was young, but borderline genius. She’s very chill on leash and never reactive. However, she can’t be trusted off leash and is a bully with small does she doesn’t know. She has no health issues and no food sensitivites. She isn’t afraid of anything and doesn’t really care for human attention.
Indy is a friend to everyone at the dog park off leash, but screams murderous screams on leash if she sees a cat/dog/squirrel/bird (but really just wants to PLAY and JUMP). We’re working through it, but it’s difficult and exhausting. She’s a gentle, rambunctious, chiseled-muscle giant. I can see her being off leash eventually, but I’m not sure how to incorporate that with Pippa. Indy clearly has some food allergies, but would like to eat anything and everything that her eyes can see. She wants pets from everyone and needs to lick ALL HANDS EVERYWHERE.
I love my dogs, but there are days where it’s hard.
This picture is from a hike in January where Indy first showed reactivity on leash. Pippa’s face in this picture absolutely cracks me up. It’s interesting because with just Pippa I was never able to get her interested in food while hiking (even cooked chicken or hotdogs), but with Indy there she seems more grounded. I was able to get her to pay some small amount of attention to me outside (honestly a first).
Dogs are hard and humbling.
