TOBY THE LAB

Question
OUR GRANDDAUGHTER ADOPTED A LAB FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER (HE IS APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR OLD)  HE HAS DONE GREAT WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT WHEN SHE LEAVES HIM TO GO TO SCHOOL, HE TRIES TO FOLLOW HER.  SHE LIVES WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY ON HER GRANDFATHER'S LAND.  TOBY STAYS IN THE HOUSE AT NIGHT & ON THE WEEKENDS, BUT DURING THE DAY, SHE LETS HIM STAY OUTSIDE.  HER GRANDFATHER LIVES ABOUT 300 HUNDRED FEET FROM HER HOUSE AND HE VISITS HIM AND HIS DOG ALL DAY AND LOVES THE FARM LIFE. I THINK HE MUST HAVE BEEN LEFT SOMEWHERE AND HE IS AFRAID THAT SHE IS GOING TO LEAVE HIM.  WHAT DO YOU THINK AND WHAT CAN SHE DO TO HELP THIS MATTER.

SHE HAS HAD HIM ALMOST A YEAR AND THEY ARE VERY CLOSE.  SHE & TOBY RUN EVERY MORNING AND WORK OUT WITH HER HORSE IN THE AFTER NOON.  HE LOVES RIDING IN THE CAR AND WAS COMPLETELY HOUSE BROKEN WHEN SHE ADOPTED HIM.  SO IT WAS A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.  SHE JUST NEEDS TO BRAKE HIM FROM RUNNING AFTER HER WHEN SHE LEAVES.  SHE HAS BEEN LEAVING HIM TIED UP AND HER GRANDFATHER LETS HIM LOOSE AFTER SHE HAS GONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP,

CONCERNED GRANDMOTHER
LINDA

Answer
Hi Linda,

Thank you for writing to me about Toby who sounds like an amazing dog!

It is heart warming to learn that you have in fact, found a solution to Toby following your granddaughter to school, even if this method isn't your first choice.

It is obvious that Toby absolutely adores your granddaughter and wants to be with her.  Since Toby spends the day with her grandfather and his dog, why doesn't your granddaughter simply drop Toby off in the morning?  This is something that Toby can look forward to since he enjoys spending the day with family.

The other solution is to work on the command "stay" and once perfected, that is exactly what Toby will learn to do.  I think however, that this is going to be very difficult since Toby is so bonded with your granddaughter. There would have to be a perk that is more inticing to Toby than following your granddaughter in order for him to want to stay.

Another possibility is for your granddaughter to give Toby a raw marrow bone to chew on just as she is leaving.  Labs have a strong drive for food so this might do the trick.

Best of luck and many hugs for Toby.

Regards,
Shelley Davis