The relationship between you and your Mutt is what you care to make it! Like any relationship you gotta work at it! and keep working at it! My relationship with Ralph is really good, but I never stop building on it to add greater strength. You have to play your role. The "pack" instinct is part of every dog's make up, and they like to have a leader of the pack. You need to be that leader.

Some of my family think I am soft with him, - probably not an understated point! I really treasure the relationship we have built together. Occasionally of course, I have to be firm. He respects firmness and responds. We get obedience without damaging the special relationship, indeed if anything it is strengthened.

In now almost the first year of what I hope and pray may be many more still to come, I have grown to dearly love and treasure this gentle and gracious giant who still wants to curl up on the floor and have a cuddle. He is my very shadow, and if the truth be known I miss it when we are not together. He and I have together forged a relationship, which I happen to think is important to both of us. - It certainly is to me.