Success Happy

What do you feel has been your biggest success as a dog owner?

It can be anything from breaking your adopted dog of a bad habit or behavior, to a big win in the show ring. What is something that you are particularly proud of? No TDs from me guys.

Public Comments

1. Probably not what you were thinking of but I've been proud to have kept an old dog alive till the ripe old age of 15. thats over a hundred in human years right?
2. That my dog is so loving and loyal to me. She must love me a whole lot to always want to be with me, be excited to see me, obey every command, comfort me when I'm sad, ect.... so that makes me feel good that I must have done something good for her to be such a great, sweet, obedient, loving pup =)
3. Five pups in the litter, all five are breed Champions http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp43/blunderpic/dogs/family1.jpg
4. My biggest success with my dogs has been that I have always provided the best for them. I guess another success is how many veterinarians children I have put through Ivy League colleges!
5. Breaking my dog of her fear of men. When we adopted her, she was so scared of every human male she came across. Now she's obsessed with my dad. :)
6. Coming in 2nd place to a renowned handler in the AKC show ring in Ft. Worth, Texas. Me as owner handler and both of us (dog and I) being novices. Best almost first I ever had.
7. Nothing in particular yet! But I am content that my 6mo old pup hasnt had an accident in months, will ask to be let out when he needs to, follows his commands 98% of the time, socialized well to be around other dogs (and cats) if necessary, gets along with kids, stopped nipping (by that I mean we worked on it A LOT, he didnt "grow" out of it...lol). Overall, he's not a nuisance in our house (considering the fact that my roommate is not a "dog" person at all). I guess I'm proud of that.
8. I'm very proud of the fact that I went from being completely clueless when I adopted my dog to educating myself in less than a month about everything from house training to teaching tricks and commands. I'm proud that my dog knows many tricks (some of them ridiculous) and that when we went to visit a friend in another state, people constantly commented on her good behavior (and cuteness, but I had nothing to do with that lol). I know that she was a good dog when I got her, but I feel it says something about me that I trained her to be an even better dog.
9. Earning a MACH (AKC Master Agility Championship) with my first Agility dog Chynna. Now we are very close to our MACH2.
10. Tiger & Tyke's "first in breed" Edog titles....both in one wk-end. Ali's first in breed WC & HC. Smut's BOS at the National Specialty. Brooke's finishing in one wk-end w/3 5pt. majors. Cubby's 5pt.BOB at 6mons.& his 5pt.BW at the roving specialty. BREEDER,not just owner
11. In 47 years of being a dog owner what I am most proud of are my last 2 dogs: the amazing mutual bond between us, the complete companionship we share, their high level of training. My biggest success? Within our family, actually being chosen to "be their person". Through fair but strict training being the person they look toward first for approval, fun, work and attention. Now, that honesty aside, I will list specific "milestones" of accomplishments. First dog, family mixed breed, who got me "hooked". Graduating 1st place in our first obedience class when I was in Jr High School. Getting a perfect score of 200 at a obedience fun match. Second dog: my 1st Sheltie, in High School. A 199 1/2 score. Representing our club at a Challenge Match between local obedience clubs. Finishing my first Champion. My first agility dog, my last Sheltie (one of 2 dogs mentioned in first paragraph): finishing his first agility title his first weekend of trialing with all 1st placements, being one of only 3 dogs in USDAA, all jump heights, to "get the gamble", being told by a top agility trainer/competitor that I was a good handler, getting his Championships in 3 different agility organizations. My current agility dog, a Border Collie; proud that I have trained her so I can actually somewhat keep up and direct her in time!!! ha! Her consistent 1st placements, the constant compliments of what a GREAT dog she is! Placing in USDAA Grand Prix and Steeplechase Qualifiers. Also, very proud, training agility students, that I have shared the enthrallment of agility, the adrenaline charges, and enlightened many people in "bonding with their dogs" and "doing" together.
12. that i trained my husky to be able to walk off leash (everyone says huskies can't be trusted off leash)
13. I always feel successful when I win the potty training war, no matter how long that battle takes.