what would you do differently?

[Giselle]

I failed miserably with Lucky. He was: 1) a resource guarder 2) severely undersocialized and it's pretty much irreversible now. However, we've dealt with it and he can go to certain quiet dog parks without producing a bucket of drool 3) tortured with food allergies the first two years of his life 4) does not tolerate grooming other than brushing (so no ear cleaning or nail clipping without a nip or two). Prior to Lucky, we knew absolutely nothing. So to look at him and to know how much we've been through and how much he has taught me, I know deep in my heart there will never be another Lucky in my life. I love him more than anything in this world and I hope he forgives me.

[joycenalex]

i didn't bring this topic up to have people feel like failures. our dogs love/loved us. we love/loved our dogs as best as we can. did we forgive them the chewed up kleenex, tennis shoes and muffins snatched from the tabletop? of course we did. the dogs have long since forgiven us our mistakes, we did/are doing the best we can. please don't beat your self up over the fact you're not perfect, your dog loves you and wants to play, so forgive yourself and go play!

[Kfamr]

I certainly would have socialized Simba more. I realized that it was needed more when I got my second dog (Nala) and even more so with my 3rd and 4th.

Simba has always had issues with new people - except for my dad and I. I really didn't know how to correct it at first but as we grew together we learned how to work together. I did pretty good back then for a 10 year old.

[Giselle]

Oh no, I'm not beating myself up about it. I have regrets, of course, but somebody had to teach us, and thank DoG it was Lucky because he is the most special, most loving, most patient being in this world. I owe every success I have with Ivy and Giselle to Lucky. Without him, I'd be as clueless as I was to begin with. Without him, I probably wouldn't have Ivy and we certainly wouldn't be "into" agility/conformation right now =)