At My Wits End!

Krizzie 

God knows I've had some challenging bitches over the years, Tali refuses to listen, Jezi was fiery and awkward as a youngster, (and I still need to be one step a head of her) and Krizzie of course, dear Krizzie! Too clever for her own good I think I could write a book about her adventures, but we got there, eventually! So now I have Sammi Belle, beautiful, loving and precious beyond belief, but shit I could kill her sometimes!!!
Over winter things had settled down so well with her on the walks, she was listening and responding well, but In the last three weeks the devil in her sure has returned. On Easter Sunday as we walked up the back a couple appeared on our walk, we were too late to avoid them, they appeared as if they had been dropped from the sky! Ziva barked, but listened and went nowhere near them, Sammi went towards them but did a brilliant recall, I was so proud as with all the others we continued on their walk ... but my pride was too be short lived as Sammi changed her mind and went running back towards them. She jumped all over the woman as if she was a long lost friend, the poor woman froze to the spot ... and because Sammi went they all went! The pack of 6 circled the couple with wagging tails and no obvious threat, Sammi still jumping about like and idiot, "Hi I'm Sammi Belle ..Hi, hi ..." lol I apologised and the man was lovely saying it was no problem and for us not too worry. But as I said to him at the time, it really wasn't good enough! We walked away, thankful the people had been so nice, only to see Mikey running back towards the couple, followed by everyone else! Mikey was simply going back for the toy we left behind! But we had no chance to breath and compose ourselves as 2 runners came from behind us, Sammi was off again, this time with Asha in hot pursuit! Sammi did return, eventually, but Asha I think decided to finish the race before coming back to the pack. Disillusioned and very disappointed it could have been so easy to not go out the next day ... but we did! With hindsight the incident makes me smile, at the time it was simply traumatic!

Sammi

A few days later as we walked I could see walkers in the distance. Too afraid to take a chance now, Sammi went on the lead. Her air scenting ability is phenomenal, and as soon as we were down wind of them her nose went into the air, though they were a huge distance away had she not been on the lead she may well have gone over to introduce herself! Sammi is by nature a very sociable bitch, and as a youngster I've done my best to encourage that, unfortunately at 15/16 months the word sees an adult dog .. an "Alsatian" and therefore something to be feared! Sammi will never understand that, and I do hope that bubble is never burst for her.
Last week as we went up hill for our walk a tractor and trailer passed us on his way down from the quarry, it was pretty close but at a safe distance! The walk was without incident and pleasant enough in the warm Spring sunshine. As we returned for home the tractor and trailer was coming back up the track, but it was far away. I was stood, gradually loosing it with Tali and Asha as they lagged behind eating shit! This gave Sammi too much time to think, and like a flash she was off across country after the tractor, I called and called and for an age I got no response, she was almost at it side when she decided to turn round and come back. I could have killed her, but know too well you don't scold a dog on it's return to the pack. (Though her mother does!)
And then yesterday, another pleasant walk but as we got close to home I saw a lone sheep. I put Sammi and Loki on the lead and as ever trusted the others to obey, which they did! The sheep was well gone and I let both off the lead, after all I was safe wasn't I? Wrong! The little cows nose went up in the air and without questioning anything she was gone! Five out of six remained at my side, for that I am thankful! I was so close to home that Steve came out and took the others in whilst Linda and I went looking for her. I swear they are the scariest moments of my life! We saw several lots of sheep who were not running and as we got over the the brow we could see no sign of Sammi ... I called and called feeling sicker by the moment. Then we heard a voice in the distance ...  "She's here!" Where was she? Next door! And very proud of herself she was too, again I wanted to kill her, but the relief of finding her was immense! Had she chased sheep? Steve was convinced that she had, I'm not too sure but the benefit of the doubt was not given and I took her out later and did some "work" with the sheep. It's the only time in dog ownership when I do believe in harsh handling, after all where sheep are concerned it's kill or cure here and I will not loose this bitch!

Sammi - Cwm Dulyn with Loki 

So have I bitten off more than I can chew with Sammi? I really do feel pushed to the limit with her. She's just too bright, too strong willed, too mischievous and too confident in her own skin. Yeah she's a lot like a young Krizzie was really. All I can do is work on her, and maybe, just maybe we should do some tracking or something with her. Something that will let her use her unbelievable scenting powers and tire her out mentally and physically in the process. One thing is for sure I will never give up on my Naught Angel, through thick and thin I adore her! She's my pride and joy, after loosing Louis she's the one I had been waiting for...but I could still kill her sometimes!  Anyone fancy going to hide up the mountain?