Perhaps it isn’t just Mom, Dad, Asa, and their trainer, that could benefit from making a few changes.  Perhaps I could use a little help too.  It has come to my attention that I may have some separation issues.  Ok, I admit it.  I sometimes get jealous of Asa when he’s the center of attention.

Mom and Dad’s trainer noticed in class that I would bark when they were all focused on Asa.  Hey, I was just helping by giving my opinion on how to best train Mom and Dad.  That’s all…really!  As for my insistence on always going first before Asa, can I help it if I’m a natural born leader?  Who knows what would happen if the decisions were left up to him!  Mom and Dad’s trainer also pointed out that when I get stressed, I would sit with part of me touching Asa.  Nonsense!  Me?  Stressed?  Never!  I was just making sure Asa was ok.  And sure I admit that I do push Asa out of my way when Mom and Dad’s trainer approaches to pet him.  But that’s because everyone is always making a fuss over Asa.  What about me?  I’m just taking Asa’s ego down a few pegs, and reminding him who’s the boss.

It’s tough being the middle dog.  I was the center of attention as a puppy.  Then my big brother Lemmy got sick, and everyone was worried about him.  I spent many a lonely day while Mom and Dad took him to vet appointments, and I quietly sat by his side as his condition worsened.  After Lemmy crossed Rainbow Bridge it was less than a year before Asa joined us.  I had to stop being a puppy at just shy of three years old and help raise my little brother.  So is it any wonder that I want attention!

However, there’s really no excuse for my recent behavior.  Now that Mom and Dad are taking their training out on the road, they noticed that I get a bit vocal when either of them put me in a sit/stay and focus their attention on Asa.  They mentioned it to their trainer, and he offered to meet us at one of our favorite places.  Ok, so I had a full blown tantrum right there in the park for everyone to see.  I barked.  I refused to sit and stay.  I even started stress eating the grass.  All because Mom, Dad and Asa were a few feet away.  Not my proudest moment.  How embarrassing!  In case you’re wondering, when they tried the same experiment with Asa he just happily sat there oblivious as always.  It was me who had to remind Mom and Dad that they shouldn’t leave him alone.

Mom and Dad’s trainer said I need to take a break from always being my brother’s keeper.  Therefore my homework this week is to acknowledge Asa is old enough to be in charge of himself…most of the time.  I need to try to control my emotions when Asa is the center of attention.  Even harder, I need to not have a meltdown if Dad takes Asa with him on errands instead of me.  I guess it isn’t fair that I always go with Dad while Asa stays home with Mom.  But Asa better not get any ideas about going to the dump, because that’s MY PLACE!