Mr Max's Memory Clinic

Oh, dear! Max and I had a visitor yesterday. Someone who has known Max since he had just turned four, who has watched him develop, has long-lined him and even sat on his back once.

The visit was partly just a catch up for us, but it was also partly an assessment of what the heck is up with Max and his unruly behaviour, and how best to nip it in the bud before it progresses any further.

The appraisal was friendly, with a keen eye as well as good knowledge of both Max and me, and what we've been through and achieved together.

The first surprise, though, was Max's strength. His big, thick neck is mighty powerful now, and gives him that ability to plough right through pretty much any instruction. There is nothing mean-spirited about it; Max is just a martyr to his belly, and if he'd rather eat than whatever else is being asked for him (and usually it's no contest which he'd rather) than he uses his strength and speed to get what he wants.

Basically Max's fitness coinciding with my onset of weakness has put us in a bit of a tricky situation. He has learned he is stronger than me and can use force ad wilfullness; I have not had the agility to work round him and reply with "Yes, you may be stronger, but even so, you can't get round me, laddie."

So we had a little guidance. First me watching Max in high indignation as someone else guided him on the lines and after getting a quick measure of his tricks, didn't leave him a door open to push at.

Then I took over and was gently corrected on my too soft, or almost non-existant contact with Max. To our cost, I have met Max's sudden bolts for freedom with my own measures to protect myself from the jolt and drop the lines before it hits. Which gave Max more reason to make his escape, which gave me more reason to be ready to let go... vicious circle and a bad habit developed quite by accident.

For now, we have to go right back to basics. I have to be up close and personal, by his side rather than behind him (all the better to get after him and be in his face with my requests) and keep a much firmer contact with his mouth for the next little while as we backtrack to re-establish The Rules.

Max and I had a go on our own today and we did pretty well.

We're keeping the lining sessions short and limited to walk. Ten or 15 minutes of good work (from both of us), finish on an upnote, and then a bit of loose to burn off some energy.

Yes, Max definitely looked annoyed and had a couple of snorts of frustration when his old tricks didn't work.

"No more friends to visit, OK? We don't need friends!"

That's where Max is wrong thogh, sometimes a friend is exactly what we need. He can't see it now, but I can.