Frankie has finally gotten over his fears and fallen in line because of the training strategy I've finally successfully employed:
Now the only time he acts afraid is when our ultra-sensitive fire alarm goes off (which happens very frequently when I make stove-top popcorn...). But then he just bolts to his safe place.
"Nothing can get me under this sofa!" -Frankie
Since I'm his boss and protector, he just stays contently by my side when we run. This year we've so far run 78 miles together and most of those were with him being well-behaved on a leash. This past week it's been very warm in Colorado (especially for someone who spent last February living in Boston's snowmaggedon!) and we've returned to running on trails where he's continued the good behavior by staying by my side as we run.
Sunrise on the running trails next to our apartment ^__^
In fact, he's gotten so used to our runs that it's clear that he loves them as much as I do! By afternoon if we haven't run yet he'll start to beg for our run.
"No more computer! Let's go !!!!" -Frankie
Then after we run, unless I distract him with his antler, he often decides me doing push-ups is a great opportunity to see how well he can crawl under me or chew my fingers.
"I will get your fingers!!" - Frankie
Sometimes I respond to this by tossing him on the bed. This is generally successful because before the run I just throw my clothes on the bed and Frankie finds their presence to be extremely exciting.
"CLOTHES! YOU WORE THESE! THEY SMELL GREAT!!" -Frankie
When he eventually gets bored of the clothes, he'll just sit on the edge of the bed and help me keep count of the push-ups/curl-ups.
Always thankful to have another set of eyes keeping count.
Yup, life is good when you've got a good boss and a good friend.
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