My dear dog companion,

I know that you still have that wonderful alpha personality that Josh and I have tried to train out of you for the past seven years, and I suppose it’s time to declare our efforts a failure. You certainly obey, whether or not you do so quietly or with a loud whine of discontent, you do what we say. The problem is that your alpha tendencies aren’t in your best interest around your human pets. If you are attached to a leash I’m holding, you probably shouldn’t try to gently guide me where you want to go. This doesn’t tend to end well for you. Also, my human brain does know what to do when we encounter an obstacle in our path. Please don’t try to walk me straight into it. I’d rather go around. When we approach a closed door, I appreciate your zeal for life and I realize that it will cause you to stand directly in front of me, however, as only one of us can reach and operate a door handle, it makes very little sense to prevent me from reaching it. My favorite times are when you “follow” me around, but stay in front of me, looking over your shoulder and trying to anticipate every move I make. It might be cute, but typically results in me tripping on you and/or kicking you. I can’t imagine this is the best way to follow someone. You’re a smart dog, but you don’t have to always obey your alpha tendencies before your common sense (I do think you have some!)

Perhaps you are a constant lesson to me about the unchanging nature of us all. We can try, we can change our habits, but even after seven years of strict discipline, the alpha dog will still be in your path, looking back at you and wondering why you’re such an idiot, and not just doing what he wants you to do.

“Come on, Korey! Let’s get the leash!”