Obedience Classes?

Haven't been updating much lately; I've been busy with my job and with school, and with Jake.

So I've been thinking. I want to start taking Jake to obedience classes at our local club. My only inhibition has been him and dogs.

I don't think he's DA. Every dog I've intentionally introduced him to he has done fine with; he pulls on the leash to get over to a dog, but once he meets them he pretty much ignores him. The one incident was with an off leash dog running over to us and trying to introduce himself without warning. I believe in that situation it was my mistake; I tensed up, Jake sensed that, and snapped at the dog whose owner called him back as I started to quickly walk away(Jake lost interest when we started walking again). I also believe that Jake has some barrier frustration/aggression issues due to Charlie running the fence with him.

My neighborhood has an un-contained dog problem.

The fact is, he needs to be worked around dogs, which isn't something I can just set up in my yard. I introduced him to Chelsey's dog Keeva(unspayed female) for the first time the other day and they had no problems. He displays excessive interest in running dogs, but again, I can't work on this without exposing him to it to an extent.

I would love to do agility with him someday, for fun. Or Rally. I don't think he's the right dog for competition level Obedience, but who knows? I just know he's smart as whip and loves to run. So keeping him away from situations that stress ME out is unfair. It's worth a try.

Thoughts? Advice?

To a Precious Memory

I still hear Your paw steps scrabble

Slip sliding down the hall,

And too clear I remember

Just how You loved that ball.

Obsessed You were and such great fun

As unto me, a quality that thrills

Only now,

As years have passed,

I realize such loyal love

Was too easily taken for granted.

I remember how I used to share,

My bed, at night, with You.

Your little brother laying there

Curled up with me too.

Your presence so cherished,

But not enough it would seem

Hindsight is 20/20 when I think of You,

My heartbeat at my feet.

I often think of You with grief, of that summer

You slipped from my side.

Today there is another,

He reminds me so of You,

To his presence near me I delight,

I still think, even so:

Of that Jewel who to me

Is still so very dear,

And when I cry I wonder

If my words maybe You can hear.

I love You,

Forgive me.

I think of her often, and wonder what could have been today, had circumstances been different.