[Marilize]

Great post!

I also feel your pain. I had the same problems with Cash. Now, at 2 and 1/2 years, all that is left is the scavenging - he will find food everywhere in the house, including the garbage can.

In our first year, I thought I would have to give him away. I was at my wit's end. Two things changed everything for us: He has to sit before he gets his meals and then I only leave the food down for 15 minutes. Regardless if he eats or not, I take it away after that time.

The other thing that helped was to start a clicker training class. I still think that the clicker is the best thing ever as it saved our relationship. We are very close now and although he is haughty and independent, most people fall in love with him as soon as he does his tricks.

The ones with dominant, strong personalities are the most difficult to train, but they can also go further in the end. My little June is a sweetheart and the cutest puppy I have ever known. She is the exact opposite of Cash, but she loves him.

I am also clicker training June and she has the greatest disposition. She graduated from her first obedience class at the tender age of 4 months.

Anyway, I just wanted to add my experience and the fact that they aren't all like that. It is really unfortunate if your first dog is independent and dominant, but with a little training and some TLC, it is totally worth it.

Hang on, they get better when we get better with their training.