To Lunge or Not To Lunge

E-MAIL FROM LINDA:

Have to tell you a donkey story.

Well, Madeline looked at lunging like......WHAT, not me. She did not want to do it and would only do it if the Mr. in our house led off in the circle and stayed ahead of her.....the minute he'd pull off to the side she'd stop and said no way.

So, we already knew there was another alternative that works that rear leg soft tissue area........the Doctor had also said to back her up, and try to get 15 feet in several times for about 20 minutes worth........along with 1/2 hour of solid trotting. The trotting she has down, and the little stinker will trot with you to her heart's content. HOWEVER, I found yesterday afternoon the little stinker CAN lunge in circles WHEN she wants to......she does not like the man hole covers on the street, does not like to cross over top of them.......you can stand there in the center of the man hole cover and she will dodge it at a trot, circle after circle after circle at a trot.........So, the little shit (yes I said shit) can lunge......So David laughed and said we need to put a man hole cover in the middle of the turn out so I can stand on it, and she'll then trot around me lunging.

On her backing up, I gave her lots or praise when she was doing it for me, well she sucked that right up........and little stinker would have me directly behind her with my rope and I'd be driving her forward......then would command her to whoa.......she'd stand there nicely, I would pat her and tell her she's a good girl then command her to back...........she would back 15 to 20 foot and wait for her praise. She did this several times last night for about 25 minutes.

She is no dummy !!!

Linda

ONCE AGAIN MY GRATITUDE KNOWS NO BOUNDS, HEARING REPORTS LIKE THIS I JUST KNOW THAT MADELINE WILL COME THROUGH HER ORDEAL IN GOOD SHAPE!