Puusti comes from a Finnish bun Korvapuusti
She has not learned how to do a single one of these reliably, but she is still a very very good dog.
Your first problem is
"I hired an expensive trainer for me with my aussie."
Aussies can't be trained.
I ended up doing just about everything for my previous dogs.
There is a lot of this too, but Smallsteps is definitely taking on more of a role as she has got more comfortable with him. I am sure that soon she will be happy to be alone for longer periods with him.
I don't know about that. I am certain if I had persisted, and actually done the tasks we were presented with, she would have learned all of those things. They are all better, she just needs constant reminders not to jump, bark, heel. She comes eventually; I've learned to take high value treats with me and to walk her off leash while she is hungry. Then she comes like a charm! What aussies are really good at learning is games. She is amazing with balls, will fetch (sometimes), will stay in place (for a little while), can catch frisbees, and loves to tell me when my cats are misbehaving.
I am so happy for you all. A puppy/dog is necessary in every home if you ask me.
Oh, I meant Australians in general. Terribly disobedient culture, with every little care for authority.
They are good with games though!!
Oh! hahahahaha! Have I ever told you how bad I am at getting jokes! Now you've seen it first hand!
lol thanks for the belly laugh.
:)