Buddha Goes to Boot Camp!

Buddha all packed with his favorite toy and food dish, on the eve of his boot camp training!

Our little Buddha is a very smart, active 9-month old puppy who has a desire to please HIMSELF, not us. So when Buddha constantly refused to "come" when called -- well, actually, it was not even that he would not come, he would bolt and run the other direction when called -- it was time to call in the big guns.

It all came to a head when there was a bushfire down our road and I wanted to get out until I knew what was happening. Buddha thought it was a great game to avoid getting in the car and it took me 30 minutes to catch him. (I was on the verge of leaving him on his own.) We found a woman who trains police and military dogs nearby and we signed up Buddha for an 11-day/10-night reprogramming experience. (While Buddha was in Boot Camp, we were relaxing in Byron Bay again. Ha ha!) He did very well, but we were briefed that he was truly a Jack Russell in a Pug body!

We got him home with our own DVD of his training and more skills to work with him. The choke collar and frequent behavior corrections will be a part of our lives for quite awhile. While we still have our "moments" with Buddha, it is much more enjoyable having a (mostly) obedient pooch! We love ya, Buddha (most of the time).