January 13, 2009 – Cold, and we ain’t kidding. Worse to come. So I’m falling for Frieda. A rescue belonging to my friend Maria Heinrich, who works out of my studio barn, I’ve been training Frieda, who seemed people and dog aggressive at times, as when she tried to eat me and and each of my dogs.
  I’ve been training Frieda for several months, and so has Maria, and she is changing, more than I expected. She is a cuddle-bug, really. I still watch her around other dogs, especially Rose – the two of them are dying to go after the other, and Rose does not back down to other creatures. I’ve used positive reinforcement methods, lots of food, reinforcement for being quiet, sat her next to my dogs (with a fence in between) and reinforced quiet with praise and food.
  Tonight, I was taking care of Frieda  (Maria was away working) and I went into the studio barn, and she came out of her crate. For months, she would nip at me if I touched her neck or tried to put a collar on her, and she never let me touch her. I brought a biscuit in and sat in a chair. Frieda came over slowly put her head on my knee, closed her eyes, and let me scratch her ears and chin for quite awhile. Then she lay across my legs and went to sleep. It was a sweet dog moment, one of my sweetest. It showed that I am more patient, and opening up.
  Frieda is unlike my dogs. She is a mutt, a junkyard dog, who was anxious and confused when we started training. She is wary of men, and was quite wary of me. She was found running wild and hungry near Glens Falls, N.Y.
  She has a big heart, loves to learn and play. We are going to be good friends. She loves to chase sticks and run around in circles (and chase deer, dogs and rabbits.) I have never really been that close to a dog like Frieda, and I think it is a sign of growth for both of us.
  There is nothing more fashionable or politically correct in the dog world than rescue, and I have a great rescue dog – Izzy – and have had others. But I have always argued that there is more than one way to get a great dog, and my personal favorite is to find a great breeder like Gretchen Pinkel of Kee-Pin Labradors in Argyle, N.Y., and get a great dog like Lenore. But Frieda has opened my mind and heart.
  Let’s see if she and Rose can share some space one day. Rose stares at Frieda whenever she sees her, a challenge for a dog, and wants her gone. Frieda returns the favor. Maybe some meatball training.