Sorry for the delay. My internet crapped out on me.
Yesterday when i talked to the trainer, it was like he couldn't wait to get me off the phone. He was very abrupt when the day before he practically talked my ear off. I thought something might have happened to Franklin and he didn't want to tell me. I let it go for a couple of hours, then I called Beth because she was supposed to go out to check on Franklin for me yesterday. I went through my usual speech about how I hoped he would be ok in the heat and how I wanted him to eat soon. Instead of her usual answer of "he'll be fine", she told me that he's my dog and I could pick him up whenever I wanted to. So I asked her if I needed to and she said no, but she finally told me that the trainer had an Akita coming in this morning and with Franklin there, they didn't have anywhere to put him. There was no money for a run, and no place to put an extra run even if there was one. The Akita's owner was paying. Franklin was there for free, and this guy needs money more than I do, so I thought the right thing to do was to pick him up.
When i got there, i talked to the trainer who gave me a few tips. He told me to get a muzzle for him, and how to get him used to it. He showed me how to do corrections while walking him on the leash and suggested that i board him once every two weeks to a month, just overnight, so Franklin would know that he can survive without me. He said I could call him at any time with any questions or concerns I may have. Beth knows of a guy who works mostly with pitties and mastiffs who she will try to arrange home visits with. I also have the name and number of a behaviorist who I can contact who may or may not give me a discount. I really wanted Franklin to go through this program because as miserable as he may have been, in the long run, it would have been good for him. That's why I dropped him off in the first place! On a positove note, the two and a half days he spent there may have done some good. I planned a "slumber party" with my grandson yesterday before I knew Franklin was coming home. After he got here, my grandson got ready for bed in my room, on my bed, and Franklin didn't flinch. before he left, he never would have allowed him to be that close to me. I hope it's a change in behavior and not just the fact that he was exhausted from the whole ordeal. While I'm glad he's home, I'm very disappointed that this didn't work out, since I put him through it for nothing. But, for some reason, I feel like I'm more in control of him. I can't really explain it, but I feel more confident with him now.
Oh, and one more thing...the trainer got him in the car to come home in under a minute. Lol
