The oft-maligned Cesar Milan has been proven right again.  Exercise, discipline and affection–in that order–do help make a better dog.

Fannie is a case in point. When we adopted her last October, she knew no rules. After being on the run for God knows how long, she had her own ideas about how to behave.  Obedience training at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge was just the start of a long program of behaviour modification.

Exercise has been the biggest help in getting her under control.  When she’s worn off some of her energy, she’s much more responsive to discipline and training. She’s calmer, less inclined to run to the window and bark at everything that moves.  But draining the energy from an Airedale isn’t easy. Her legs are like springs and she’s a tough little dog. It takes a lot to make her tired. A 20-minute walk barely makes a dent in her energy level.

Discipline–consistent rules, not corporal punishment–is also a big factor.  She knows she has to sit politely in order to get her dish of kibbles.  She knows she must wait until we’re done eating before she’ll get fed. (She’s not the leader of the pack!)

Yes, Fannie has come a long way. She can walk in heavy traffic areas and not get mad at trucks and buses. She no longer find threats in people carrying backpacks. She can (kind of) ignore other dogs that we see along our walks, but only if they’re on the other side of the street. She still goes nuts when the mail carrier drops mail in the slot, has gone through the window screen to get a squirrel, and barks at people and dogs walking along the sidewalk.

Cesar might think we give her too much affection. But it’s hard to resist petting a dog.