Training--a Labor of Love!

    Now that Al and I are older, consistency in dog training seems harder than with our four previous golden retrievers! Walking with our two new puppies every day, saying “halt” every time we stop, “heel” every time we start, reinforcing good behavior…all of these things are important in teaching them to obey and all of these things seem to take more time and effort on our part.

   When walking on the leash, TJ, the little lab, tends to either walk with his nose to the ground or is turned around backwards looking at his golden retriever "brother." He hasn't tuned in yet to our commands. Teddy, who is three months older than TJ, has learned to heel and halt, now is starting to get the idea of “sit.” “Stay” is a much harder command for him to learn. Oh to be free to run around! It would be so much more fun!

    After going around the yard a few times, practicing in the dog run, or walking down Globe Drive with them on their leashes, we are tired out! It would be easy to just give up on their training. However, obedience is a learned trait acquired through much practice, and a great deal of patience on the part of the trainer! And we have some goals in mind--of taking pleasant walks together rather than being dragged along the road; of being able to communicate and get the desirable responses for their safety and well-being; and eventually of letting them swim in the pond or run free, knowing that they will come back to us when we call them.  

     All of this training makes me think of how much time and energy the Lord has spent on training me to follow him. I'm so glad that he hasn't given up on me!    

"In all of my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6 NIV