Come here, Savannah...

You would think that the command "Come here!" wouldn't be so hard for a puppy to learn. However, I see in Savannah the same stubborn streak that was in our dog Gracie.  When we first brought Gracie to a dog-trainer to learn some manners, the trainer told me that Gracie was "the most pig-headed puppy" he had ever met.  I think that trainer would be saying the same thing about Savannah.  Maybe it's that Border Collie part of her that makes her want to do just what she wants when she wants. (My husband would say that's just a female trait, no matter the species.)

As Savannah has grown to trust us, we've learned that she likes to be held. Specifically, to have a hand placed on her chest firmly and protectively, as my husband did for her when we brought her downtown to see the Christmas parade a couple of weeks ago, She became very nervous in the crowd that evening and she sat down on the sidewalk and wouldn't move. My husband bent down to her and put one hand on her chest and the other under her chin and he stayed that way till she calmed down and was ready to walk towards Main Street.

Trying to get Savannah to 'Come here!' wasn't that easy until I learned what her "currency" was (as my husband calls it).  And her currency is that soothing feeling when she feels protected and safe. I had been holding up a treat for Savannah and telling her to 'Come here!' and that method only worked if she was hungry.

But then I had what Oprah would call an Ah ha moment.  When I wanted Savannah to come to me, I bent down towards the floor and put my arms out towards her, calling 'Savannah girl... where's my Savannah girl?'  And there she came, walking towards me and then sitting down by my knee. Then I put one hand on her chest and one arm under her chin... and Savannah would just sort of melt into my legs and lean up against me. Wonder of wonders... what a peaceful feeling for both of us. Not only did Savannah come to me when I called to her that way, but I could feel her calmness and she didn't leave that spot until I got up. All she needs to know is that she will get that protective hug that she now seems to crave... and she will gladly come when called.

When my husband and I sit on the sofa to watch "O'Reilly" at night, Savannah climbs up between us and snuggles and wiggles and puts her paws on one of us and her head on the other and there the three of us sit, sort of a puppy sandwich with Savannah calling the shots as to who gets her head and who gets her tail. She tries to play with us as if we're puppies also, giving us little nips and big licks here and there, and by the look on her face we can see she is perfectly content.

Gone are the days when Savannah was afraid of my husband and we couldn't figure out why. Gone also are the comparisons to our dog Gracie. Savannah has proven herself to be a very good dog, even though she does have her crazy-puppy moments from time to time. But, as I keep reminding myself, she is still a puppy.

Our cat Sweet Pea has learned to trust Savannah now and I've walked into the kitchen and found the two of them side-by-side in the middle of the room. Sometimes Savannah will rest her chin on the edge of Sweet Pea's bed while that cat is curled up and sound asleep in that plush kitty-circle of  his pillow.

Six days before Christmas, and our eight-month-old Savannah has sort of come into her own, knowing that she's safe with us and trusting us to take good care of her.