As you may or may not know, last week I made my “big decision.” I publicly announced which of my 7 then seven week old puppies I was going to keep for my own. 
Tomorrow night I will be hosting a “coaching call” for my “Puppy Peaks” members. There I will share more details on why I picked Momentum. In the end, the decision was easy as one puppy absolutely stole my heart.
The puppy formerly known as “Genie” is now officially named “Say Yes to the Game ChangeRR.” 
Her registration name reflects the fact that I am “changing my game” a bit. As I am moving from selecting only red & white Border Collies puppies over the past 25 years to going back to a black & white one.
“Momentum”, as she is now known, was selected for a number of reasons. She appeared to be part glamour girl, part tomboy and part class clown. And, in addition, at the time she also appeared to have a strong attachment to me. 🙂
However it seems like within moments of me making a public announcement that I had selected her as my very own, little Miss Momentum transformed from “attached” to “attacking”, from “brilliant” to “bullying”, from “sweet” to “sinful” and from “self-assured” to “self-absorbed”. I went from calling her fun, fearless and fascinating to other words that started with “F.” 🙂
Momentum leads the pack off on any adventure the moment an “escape” from confinement is possible.
I can say with a great deal of confidence that each of the other six puppy owners are THRILLED that they do not own her today!
Muddy faced Momentum on the run…in the opposite direction to me.
Yes, I think she quickly became the naughtiest puppy I have ever known!
Take a look at this video montage. What word or words would you use to describe this puppy if she was yours?
Now, of course, all of those “descriptors” are not really “who” this puppy is. It is just me giving names to MY emotions. Labels I put on the puppy while observing the act of her doing what currently just comes naturally to her. My puppy still is that sweet, self-assured and brilliant puppy she has always been. However until I direct what reinforces her in her environment towards what I like, she is going to continue to find those “naughty” but oh so fun for a puppy reinforcements on her own!
Confident puppies are often labelled as “independent!” The former is something you work with… the later is something you end up working against!
In “Mentum’s” world everything she does is just perfect! My job as her now official “trainer” is to make sure I alter all of those “unplanned coincidences,” those things or events that have produced amazing rewards for her thus far in her life in a better direction!
This transition will be another topic I will discuss with my Puppy Peaks community.
The transition happens through games. Lots and lots of relationship building games. Games the two of us love!
Playing the collar grab game with Momentum.
Games of all different varieties, in all different locations.
Learning to retrieve!
I know we will still have our share of struggles to overcome…but I also know we will have a lot of fun and learn a lot of lessons along the way.
Retrieving Momentum from her adventure in our pond :).
Puppy Peaks is about to get a LOT more interesting as it looks like I have a brand new set of challenges to overcome!
Today I am grateful for how much I already love “the naughtiest puppy I have ever known.” Can’t wait to see what life will look like a year from now :).
The ‘Naughty’ is the brains oozing out! I’ve got a 2 1/2 year old Aussie that was dubbed, with his littermates, ‘Hellhounds’! He learns at twice the speed of my other really bright Aussies. BUT, he is a handful! Always thinking, doing…and on Facebook his exploits have given him a following. I do revel in the Naughtiness since some of his antics are admirable.
Can’t wait to watch the progress and the new games! Welcome to the world of Hellhounds! And Bode, has now, been re-dubbed, Angelhound. 🙂
I love that video, and Momentum!! 🙂
Thank you for your honesty in showing the nature of this pup. How you help her learn is going to be very interesting!
Momentum reminds me of my puppy at 8 weeks. She was a hellion but at 7 1/2 months she has gotten more manageable
thanks to Puppy Peaks and Handling 360.
We are having fun and learning together.
Looking forward to watching you with this
puppy. I learned so much from watching you and Swagger!
I am getting my puppy in 6 days, a little keeshond 8 week old girl. My last guy, Jedi, who died at the age of 5 getting a sedative to be neutered, (a great shock), was the reason I took your “say yes” course a few years ago. He was a “wild and crazy” guy, like your new little girl. I did manage to get him into agility, and he loved it, but he was a stinker. He was so fast on the course and was going places, I had hoped. Now, starting all over.
Oh yay! I am having the same issues with my 16 week old Aussie Athena! I am doing puppy peaks as well 🙂 will love to see how you work through the struggles with her as it will help us all with nawty puppies.
Her nickname is feral 🙂 she has well earnt that name 🙂
She was meant for you and you alone. No wonder I don’t have border collies look what I would have ended up with as she would have been the one I chose.
PS. Need a new hoodie though “embrace the chase”.
Anne that is awesome “Embrace the chase”…LOL
Our Cindy certainly showed that independent spirit as soon as she felt at home with us. I had to learn what made her tick–a good, hearty hug and words of praise. She looks for my eyes to catch hers and all I have to do now is signal her to come and she flies to me. Treats are fun, but what she really wants is praise. I have never had a herding dog (she is a chocolate lab/border collie mix) before, nor one with such an independent spirit. So this has been a learning game for me, but what a fun adventure. Crate Games was recommended by Dori Page and wow–I really LOVE playing with both dogs–Compliant Maggie the yellow lab, and Ms. Independent Cindy. Our puppy trainer labeled her well–tough and bossy on the outside, but soft as a marshmallow on the inside.
OMG! You have your work cut out for you! I’m sure this is the puppy all of your adoring fans are dying to see you train (how DO you work through all of that, LOL!).
gee, i distinctly remember someone saying u always get the puppy u need at the time u need it!
🙂 Maggie love it when my advise gets quoted back to me LOL
My Laki was the same!!!!!!!! Naughty but so cute and adorable puppy. My heart all belong to him. Now brilliant, almost 3 yo.
So looking forward to watching this journey unfold 🙂
Love the real life video of normal puppy behavior, not the perfect Disney puppy. Great nickname, Mighty Mo. Love her attitude! Can’t wait to see how she comes along.
Right now. This cute adorable pup named Mentum is in her Run away little miss Floosy Stage, Similar to My Fair Lady. Mentum is daring Susan to make her into a young lady if she can. Susan will have to teach this pretty fast little girl all of the proper training techniques so she will become the best pup ever. This will be the best Puppy Peaks EVER!!!!!!!
Great analogy JoAnn!
Well Susan they God doesn’t send us what we can not handle!
I am so glad I am enrolled again with a naughty one of my own. It will so cool to see what lessons she will brings us. She already knows how to make us all smile and laugh!
Bring on the Mighty Mo!
The F word that came to mind is FULL…as in you’re going to have your hands full training this one 🙂
I think she’ll teach you a great deal and hope you have a long, happy life together
Oh-My-Gosh!!!!
You are going to have SO much fun with this new puppy. I can’t wait to see how you progress in the Say Yes Program with her! Enjoy this challenge, it looks like a blast. Are the other puppies Feature’s other six? They look much more behaved….. (;
I love watching this video. Little Miss Whirley Girl is so independent and curious! What joie de vive she has! You will have a blast with her. My husband has a puppy like her – lots of enthusiasm and energy.
Oh, Susan, the fun you will have with this one. We love all of our dogs, but the more challenging ones have a special place in our hearts. I have a BC who just turned 6 and with the help of your classes, a local trainer who recommended you, and just plain “dogged” determination on my part, she has become such a joy. I swear she reads my mind. I have never had a dog before who checked out the clothes I was putting on; decided if they were clothes that meant she was not coming along; and, put herself in her crate to wait until I returned. The first time she did it, I was so alarmed when I could not find her – because she already was lying in her crate!
My puppy is the most compliant, cooperative dog I’ve owned, it’s eerie …. and now she’s 5 months and I suspect all that will change!!! I expected her to be just like Mentum and I still think that’s coming!
She is adorable!!!
So comforting to know that even an AMAZING trainer like yourself still has a puppy that has “cheeky” moments. So important (like you said) to let the small things go and not beat yourself up about it.
Loved the way you stayed so calm, can’t wait to see how she matures!
Oh, what naughty love!
I think you may have just temporarily forgotten what it’s like to keep a girl!! 😉
Oh thank you Susan. My 14 month pup did exactly – from a lovely soft girl she became a bully! She loves me and is brilliant but there is still lots to do. A horse dressage trainer I knew many years ago told me that the more difficult the animal, the more brilliant it turned out.I am sure Momentum will do just that.
Looks like I joined at the PERFECT time for guidance with my young Aussie.
OH MY…. I’m sorry but I am laughing very hard …. I can’t wait to watch the transformation of this little rascal. We love PP (along with ICP and 360 H!!) This is going to be a very exciting year and people should jump on the bandwagon while they can as there is going to be a ton of new puppy stuff. Join Puppy Peaks !
I about choked on my drink when she went for your nose – oodles of naughtiness will soon become awesomeness I’m sure!
Same thing happened right after I had told the last family who they were getting from the litter. The top two picks I was deciding between. Picked and then…yikes. Doing really well now 🙂
Best of luck with Mighty Mo!!!
Awesome Susan. Like me you love a challenge and yep you have one.
SHE HAS A “ZEST ” FOR LIFE!!! TALK ABOUT DOING IT HER WAY!!! HEHEHEHEHE! RISE TO THE CHALLENGE! A NEW AND EXCITING ADVENTURE BEGINS! 🙂
THE VIDEO WAS HILARIOUS! LOVED IT!
You’ll have a busy but rewarding year. She a handful and cute as a button. Her name suits her perfectly. Good luck!
The video was a lot of fun to watch.Thanks
Susan, so glad to see she is a free spirit. Nice to know I’m not the only one with a puppy that wants to play “chase me” games. It’s so cute and funny for the first 5 minutes. Can’t wait to watch you fix it.
This little puppy is a cute baby monster….make me laugh….thank you..
Like you said, dogs choose us and come into our lives for a reason. Maybe Momentum knows that you need another challenge so that we can all learn even more about how to raise a “naughty” puppy the Say Yes way 😉
How adorable and totally naughty! What fun all the pups were having! Definitely lots of giggles!
Momentum is awesome and the perfect girl for you Susan. Your journey together will certainly be interesting and I look forward to watching all the updates. Once Momentum knew for sure she was yours, it was an easy decision for her to ‘let the challenges begin’. “Laughs”. Love the video!!
I think Momentum has many memorable moments in store for all us Puppy Peaks folks!! Can’t wait!!
Oh boy can I relate having a confident almost 12 week old puppy myself. I couldn’t help but laugh at those clips and see myself in them too…laughing with you of course.
A few years ago a very wise trainer told me that the dogs we get will make us better trainer’s, and I thank you very much for that Susan it is so true and I know you will make Momentum shine. Cant wait to see her grow up. Thank you for sharing your journeys with us…….!
Susan, you may have met your match! Can’t wait to hear the stories of how you address the challenges this little one presents. I always say, “God makes puppies cute so we won’t strangle them before they grow up.” She is a cutie, lucky for her!
All I could do was laugh, yes, she really is going to keep you busy. Beauty of a girl though! Have Fun Susan!
Oh, the little “f”er!!!!
What huge fun!
Lots of F words!
Such a FUN puppy!!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
I did see her “ask” to play with a puppy someone else was holding (with a nice sit). Too Funny!!!
These smarty-pants puppies are why we’re so glad you’re here to help! 🙂
Thanks Susan for an awesome blog post and a great laugh. She sure is confident!
I’m in love! She already has drive. It just needs some “adjusting”, 🙂 Enjoy!!
Thank you so much for showing how real puppies act. Most trainers are always showing the “perfect puppy or dog” on videos and sometimes no matter how hard you try they have a mind of their own. It’s refreshing to see you also deal with the challenges
Exactly.
I’m happy to see someone else has an independent sweetie like my puppy who also is Canadian- could it be the country of origin? 🙂
Oh what fun! It will be fun watching her grow up!
reminds me exactly of my Sizzle when she was a baby. Have fun!
Welcome to my world Susan! My first Border puppy, Jack, was an ABM! (Anywhere But Me). He is approaching two years old now, and with your online guidance, becoming a rational canine being.
Thank you for sharing!