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The chronicles of Judy Glaes, Joya's Pet Pal, and Laurie Hardy, Joya's Obedience Coach. Judy Glaes is Joya's Pet Pal and one
of her favorite people. Judy is a little lady, and when she first
saw Joya, she thought she wouldn't be able to handle her. Fortunately we
have kept Joya in obedience class since she was a pup, and she is good
to work with on leash. Like any typical kid, she only gives her parents a
hard time. Judy comes to our home every day and walks Joya in neighboring parks including the Anacostia Tributary Trail which is part of the Anacostia Watershed. This is an area that spans from Colmar Manor at the southernmost point of the trail, and spurs northeasterly and northwesterly from there along beautiful stream valley parkland. The trail system's continuous greenway traverses a variety of natural environments including woodlands, open fields, and wetlands. This beautiful barrier free grassland is Joya's playground where she glides through shoulder-high grasses while watching egrets and blue herons wade in the river. Judy knows all the great places in the park to take our girl. She can go to an enclosed tennis court and run off-leash or saunter through bike trails that extend for miles. Joya is not bothered by runners or bicyclists, and these walks are truly the highlight of her existence!
Laurie Hardy stepped in to work with Joya in February, 2000, when Judy went on vacation. For two months prior, work demands had caused Joya to only attend obedience class sporadically - and it showed. Laurie is working with Joya to improve her obedience. Thankfully, Joya is eager to please and loves the mental challenge that training poses. Within two weeks after Laurie began, we noticed that Joya was more attentive to commands and easier to walk on-leash. Laurie is a member of Fidos
for Freedom, and Elsa is one of the Therapy Dogs.
Elsa is currently recovering from surgery to
correct a life-threatening
condition. Laurie's Border Collie, Spinner, is an
amateur entrant in local Frisbee dog competitions. Spinner was entered in this year's
Flying Disc
Dog Open (FDDO) East Coast Competition. In addition to standard obedience, Laurie is teaching Joya to fetch, return and give, and an exercise called 'stolen/not paid for.' This requires Joya to allow a cookie to be placed on her nose, and on command Joya tosses it in the air, catches it. Joya already catches cookies very well, but if Laurie can teach her this much self-discipline, I will make a $100 contribution to Fidos for Freedom in her name. (No bribe, just making her effort worthwhile!) Between Judy's socialization and Laurie's obedience coaching, and the stimulation and exercise provided by both, our girl Joya is becoming a delightful companion. We may have to retire Joya's "Dog from Hell" moniker soon. See her progress in the monthly "Joya's Journal" entries here: |
Judy is also concerned about Joya's
socialization. Joya did not interact with other dogs (except
nose-to-nose in class) since she was with her litter-mates. She adores
people, but is intimidated in play with other dogs. Through Judy's
gentle guidance, she has begun interactive play with Judy's Pet Pals
Play Group.
In the past months she has progressed from sticking close to Judy and
crying to go home, to enjoying being chased by her playmates as she
holds the
