It's been a long crazy weekend. I spend several hours today working with the dogs of Wayside Waifs and Blue Moon Akita Rescue. Since I did not take my assistant Jade with me, I owed her a trip to the lake. I've worked hard to make Jade my "everywhere" dog. A dog that I can take in public, to the park, on consults and even to large scale dog playgroups. As we hit our spot at Smithville, a storm rolled in and the temperature dropped 15 degrees. It was beautiful. I've worked hard over the past 18 months to create a solid relationship with Jade. I set defined rules and structure in the house and away. She will tighten up her distance to me to a nice heel (our's is friendlier "Follow me") or with a simple okay she happily bounds 30 feet away. While I don't give much faith to the whole pack leader or alpha role, I do make sure I maintain control at all times with Jade. Our normal routine at the lake is, I walk and Jade follows, either behind or a