Monday mornings, particularly after a long weekend of traveling, used to be the worst, but now we have reason to get up early and start the day! That’s because every Monday for an hour and a half, we work with our dog trainer, Frank Cahill.

Frank started working with us two weeks ago, after we had a problem with fear-based aggression with Linus. As a rescue dog, who knows what Linus experienced during his previous life. He seems to have been hit because occasionally will whimper, cry, and lie on his back if something spooks him. He had also bit E one morning when E was putting him in his crate. When I spoke to Frank, he mentioned that building Linus’ self-confidence with obedience training could help quell this problem.

Frank began working with us two weeks ago, where we worked on “sit” and “heel.” Frank arrived with a 15-foot training lead and also a training collar for Linus. After meeting Linus, we went outside and actually trained on the city streets. Frank said this would help Linus learn to deal with distraction and was because it’s the environment he’ll be exposed to day in and day out.

This week, we worked on “stay,” and “come.” To learn “stay” we would tell him to sit and stay and then perform a series of maneuvers with the training lead. This included walking away from Linus with back turned, walking back towards him, behind him, and also stepping over him. Finally we would walk away from him and “tug” the lead without calling him and see if he would remain in the “stay” position. Linus did great! He messed up a few times but by the end of the lesson he was getting it every time.

Next week we’ll be doing “paw” and “down.” I’m excited to teach “paw” because it will help Linus put his harness on! Every time we put it over his head, we have to lift up his front two legs, so if he could raise his paws up, it would make it a smoother process.

Eventually while working with Frank, we hope to get Linus qualified for the AKC Canine Good Citizen’s test, and down the road certified to do therapy dog work in hospitals and nursing homes.

If anyone is looking for a dog trainer in the Manhattan or Long Island area, I would highly recommend Frank Cahill. His calm-assertive energy, extensive knowledge and also true love for dogs is a huge asset. Earl and I learned a lot just by watching and emulating him interacting with Linus.

Secretly, I’m hoping after a few more weeks to have Linus up to painting, like this corgi, shown left. Anny has won just about every single dog training award possible! Apparently she does therapy work and paints as part of her show when cheering up hospital patients and nursing home residents. Super cute!