The Audrey of Dog Walking

I AM the pack leader, I AM the pack leader....what, huh, oh jeez, was I saying that out loud while strolling down Independence Avenue?  It appears I was....

I've been watching the dog whisperer and reading his book and if you don't know anything about the dog whisperer, I will sum it up for you in two words...or a hyphenated word...or a phrase.  I'm not sure what to call it -- Calm-Assertive.  Caesar Millan, the dog whisperer, seems to think that if you project calm-assertiveness even the most wild, misbehaved, or vicious dog will become perfectly behaved in 12 seconds and make friends will all other dogs he meets.  It sounds like a total crock right?  But I'm trying it because he whispers to dogs and I do not.

The funny part is, it's kind of working.  On every walk I take deep breaths, walk with purpose and confidence, and apparently announce out loud that I am the pack leader.  In return, Boomer walks by my side--little ears flopping--stops when I tell him to, does not eat chicken bones (which has caused some disagreements between us in the past), and doesn't pause at every blade of grass.  We are working on the being nice and unexcited at every dog we meet. 

This is all well and good but the one thing that Caesar whispers to dog owners is that the dog should walk behind you.  WHAT?  How do you get a dog to walk behind you?  Is Caesar messing with me?

Anyway, for the rest of it, I am proud to say I am very Audrey--shoulders back, head high, relaxed, calm, and commanding.  For the walking in front of the dog, I could not be more Lucy--I am basically lunging in front of the dog, getting myself wrapped in the leash, and pushing him out of the way.  I imagine I look like I'm doing some strange dance that includes bumping into a dog that you are walking like you have no idea it is even there.  So my internal battle rages on.  But at least I have a dog that gets more well-behaved every day.

AM