I am not sure what happend but all of a sudden the moment I was waiting for has arrived and my Tessa "fell into place".

We hit a low point about two weeks ago...training not going anywhere...she was a terror at home and uncooperative outside, not all the time, but enough to make me lose faith for a day or two, but I just picked myself up, and continued training, like a fool trying to squeeze water out of a rock.

Then, as of last Saturday, she is a different dog. The rock is pouring water and lots of it! Very responsive; actually, I find myself about to give a command when I realize she is already doing what I wanted her to do. Countersurfing has been reduced to an occasional quick check to see what's up there, no longer the constant non-stop swiping. She's heeling better than any dog I've ever had. Started on off-leash heel (long line), still work to be done but I am impressed and so was our trainer last Monday. Sit-stay is very solid, even with people around, and at school, my trainer was able to approach her and she remained seated (what a struggle it was three weeks ago!). Not only that, I had to hand the dog over to the trainer, who refers to her as "the wild Indian over there" and leave the premises, without Tessa breaking the sit-stay, and she sat! Until I came back, took the leash, and released her! I never thought I'd see the day. Not this soon, anyway.

Overall, she is demonstrating a lot more restraint and is very cooperative, and all the lessons I thought were falling on deaf ears, have been retained.

My trainer on Monday said Tessa is very mature mentally but estimated that she will be at least another two years of hard work (collective gasp from our co-eds), the main challenge being to deal with that two-legged exuberance. Thankfully, I now believe we will be just fine as she matures further; compared to 1,2,3,4 months ago there has been a huge, huge change in behavior.

Of course, my first thought is always "is she sick?"  And I do know that the behavior will likely fluctuate between Jekyll and Hyde for a while, but hopefully we will be seeing more Jekyll than Hyde from now on.

I post this as an encouragement to people that are going through these wild times with their pups.

I think you will also see allot of maturing after she comes in season for the first time. 

Halo didn't come in season the first time until she was 2 YO.  After that she settled down allot.  Her cycle now seems to be every 9 months.

Posted By TessaGA on 03/12/2009 12:05 PM

Wolfe I just see your avatar...is that available as a car decal? It would be funny if it wasn't so true " src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" />

I have that same logo printed and up on my refrigerator!

I found it on ebay -someone was selling them as either stickers or window clings. 

You know I have to agree with Pixie on the thick skulls.  I think this breed is very smart and just like a overly smart kid in school they can challenge us, get creative, or do allot of other things because they are so smart.  I know I had to change how I train with my oldest, Belle.  She will catch on to something amazingly fast, but if I repeat it too often or don't keep it challenging for her, she invents things not because of a thick skull, but because of a high IQ.

 Everbell,,, You are so right. It's getting these very smart dogs to do things in your time and not theirs. I find when I get a puppy, they enjoy listening and responding to you, and then all of a sudden, it's like something hits them, and they decide, I don't think I want to come to you right now, I'm busy...  It's up to you to know, and see it coming, and every GSP goes through it at some point. This is where if your not ready for the redirection, you'll be in trouble. I call it the cross in the road, and can very well determine if you end up with or without a well behaved dog.. I belief that GSP's are very eager to please dogs that are easily distracted, but with determination, and redirection, I think they come to see that your desire makes you very happy, and they finally understand that if they listen to you, they are part of your happiness.