06/01/2026
Part 3. My Journey in Dog Training
If you’ve read the second part of my story, then you already know about my first Rottweiler, Joy, and how much this dog changed my life.
One of the most important lessons happened during our very first dog show. Back then, Rottweilers were extremely popular, and even small local shows had huge competition. I was young, nervous, and completely inexperienced.
During the show, one of the handlers started provoking my dog by bringing his dog too close to us. I tried to avoid conflict, but out of fear and stress I reacted too sharply while trying to stop Joy from escalating.
The judge saw everything.
The man provoking the dogs was immediately removed from the ring, but the judge also spoke to me very strictly. I was only about 15 years old and almost cried from embarrassment.
But that moment taught me one of the most important lessons in dog training: dogs always feel our emotions. A handler must stay calm and in control, even in stressful situations.
The second story is much more funny.
In the early 2000s, I got my first cell phone with terrible electronic ringtones. One day I noticed Joy softly howling to some of them.
I thought it was hilarious, so I kept encouraging him.
And that’s how I accidentally taught my dog to howl.
Later, he started howling at car alarms and certain songs on the radio — and I could never fully stop it.
The funniest moment happened on a bus ride home. The driver didn’t even want to let us in, but eventually we got on. Then one of the songs Joy loved started playing on the radio.
Joy sat in the middle of the bus… and started singing.
Loudly.
People were laughing, the driver was angry, and I wanted to disappear from embarrassment.
But now I remember moments like this with a smile.
Because real experience with dogs often comes through mistakes, funny situations, and learning along the way.
