[BillM]

Great story! It was long, but the one thing I am taking away for my experience is “hope”. My pup is only 10 weeks old, but man…managing him can be a handful. I keep the concern that I am going to hinder my engagement with him in trying to help him manage through the puppyhood stage of his life. I have a mal from working lines as well.

Sounds like there couldn’t be much more of a challenging start as what your pup had. Like you, I got my mal knowing that being semi-retired, I could give him all of the time he needed…time I didn’t have in the past to put into previous (and current) dog. I couldn’t imaging going from about where he is now to 5.5 months with not much input. Mine is requiring so much attention.

But, even through all that you and yours went through, you persevered and now have a great girl, but also a new companion to go with her.

It’s easy to lose focus with the constant attention these dogs take. There is light at the end of the tunnel, just got to walk through the tunnel to get to it.

[Georgina]

Just keep being consistent every day. One day you wake up and find you have got a wonderful loyal companion, that is super smart. You realise your work is paying you limitless dividends. Good luck!