Sunday Fun day with the grandsons

The thing we didn't get a photo or video of today was me walking with Charlie and my grandson/godson, Roark.  The lake has finally melted, so we took a walk down to the lake.  Charlie doesn't do great with kids; let's just say I don't trust him (yet), so I thought what a great idea it would be to do a variation on what Cesar Millan does with dogs who don't get along with other dogs:  take them on a pack walk!!

My other grandson, Ben, joined us, and their mom joined us, too after we were down at the lake for a few minutes.  It was so cool walking Charlie with Roark, just the three of us.  I was very impressed with both of them.  Roark is almost 6 years old, and he and Charlie both have that little mischievous side to them, so it was good to do something with them, together, that required activity and following some rules -- outside of Charlie's "territory" (the kitchen!).

Afterwards, we let Cooper and Hobie out of the bedrooms where they had been relegated during the children's visit.  None of my dogs do well with small kids, so we're always diligently working on it.  I separate the dogs into three separate areas, and the kids get the run of the house.  After the kids have been here about 2 or 3 hours, then I'll let the dogs interact with them, one at a time.  At the very end of their visit, I will let all three dogs be with the kids (at that point, food is not being carried around by small children, so I'm a lot more comfortable!).

Hobie, who, in his younger days, was way more rebellious and naughty than Charlie, was the best of the three.  He has turned out to be SUCH a great dog.  I am proud.  It took years and years for him to become "the perfect dog".

Hobie with the grandsons and their mom.

He turns his head every time I take a photo! haha

Cooper came running out of the gate (bedroom) like a race-horse with three legs!  He's so awkward that the boys were not ready for it, and he moves very fast, but he's clumsy so he is like a bull in a china shop!  He eventually calmed down and hung out with them in the living room while they watched TV.

We didn't get any pictures of Charlie today, but I'm going to take him down to the lake each day from now on.  He is getting better and better on leash.  If only he wasn't insane about passing automobiles.  We need to work on that (he lunges at cars and wants to chase them).  Anyone have any tips?  (That's funny, the dog lady who gives tips, asking for tips!!)