Last weekend we traveled to Ohio for a hunt test. Freighter was running the test and Storm came along for the trip. Much to our surprise Storm was Little Miss Congeniality.
Some time ago I wrote a post about Young Storm. In Storm’s younger days she was a typical protective Chessie. She barked at people she did not know with the exception of kids. Storm loves children, thanks in part to neighbor girls who came over to play with Storm when she was a puppy. Most adults steered clear of her.
She has mellowed some over the years, (she will be 9 next week), but not so much that she was one of those dogs you want to hang around with.
Last weekend was different. Storm was not running the test. She was happy to snooze in her crate, but she could not spend the entire weekend crated. Hubby took her out to give her a break from the crate on Saturday. We were in a group with our training buddies and surprise, surprise, Storm just hung out. There were two little kids there so that was a bonus for Storm. She actually enjoyed hanging out with people she did not know.
Then on Sunday, she was hanging out on the tailgate of the truck. Several people walked over and petted her. One pro trainer came over and petted her and said. “I never thought I would be able to pet a Chessie”. Me either. I never thought that particular Chessie aka Storm, would be so receptive to being petted by a complete stranger. Of course I have always believed most dogs recognize professional trainers when they meet them and know to be on good behavior. (Ever want to know how competent a pro trainer is? Take a difficult dog to meet them.) But it was more than that. Storm actually liked being the center of attention which is something I never thought I would see with her.
It just goes to show that consistent training, socialization, getting the dog out there to experience different things and different places can pay off in the long run.
Have a nice weekend!
How cool! I’m glad that she had such a good weekend soaking up the attention 🙂 Barley would have loved every minute of that–minus the children part!
Wow that’s so great! I’m sure it made the whole experience better for Storm too.
Way to go, Miss Storm – sounds like she was more of a breeze than a storm 😉 Enjoy your weekend as well! Our temps are actually bearable today – what a nice break, and one we took advantage of with an awesome walk at a near-by State Park we hadn’t been to yet.
Good work, Storm! The moral of this story: Never ever give up. 😉
Yay for Storm! It gives me hope that one day my anti-social boy will enjoy being petted by strangers!
Bravo Storm… you are a pawsome girl and so it was no wonder that you became the center piece :o)
“Mellow Macha”. has also developed such sociability just after the age of 10! However, we can still revert to feistiness if the situation calls for best Chessie reputational behavior! Storm and Macha are true soul sisters, and we have been warned to “watch” Macha. In other words, always beware, be wary! Hopefully these girls will continue their well-mannered ways.
Wtg Storm it’s nice when they become seniors and mellow with age. What a good girl and I bet the kids loved petting her.
Way to go Storm! I remember a post you did a while back about the breed and their protectiveness. I’ve noticed Delilah has mellowed too. The other day on our morning walk she went right up to a guy that was passing us. I was taken aback as she is typically aloof with strangers, especially men.
Hi Y’all!
Way to go Storm. It can be really fun being the center of attention.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog