Perhaps it is the choices we make when we adopt a dog or buy a new puppy. Maybe I choose dogs that are just that bit more difficult because without any real thought I am attracted to that kind of dog or even horse, as my horses were all a bit wilder than other people's.

Sometimes the choice was not really mine and I adopted a dog that no one else wanted, because they had so many problems.

My new dog Spartacus is very full on too.Even as a dog trainer, I have my work cut out for me. He is a very kind dog and adores children, which is lucky since I have five grand children under seven, and I go to many houses to train puppies that have children. But he is definitely a handful, and getting stronger every day, and bigger too. At six months he looks more like a wolf than a German Shepherd, as he is snow white.

I am taking him as my demo dog, instead of my perfectly trained Border Collie, as I have always told people that training my own dogs is no easier for me than it is for them to train their own dogs. This is true!

My perfectly trained Border Collie Nanny, came to me as a one and a half year old, who had been terribly abused by children. She bit everyone including me and lived under the bed. It took me four years of training her every day to help her recover from her abuse. My husband hated her and refused to go to the park with me, as she hated all dogs too. His hatred of her hurt me so much, but I soldiered on and now he loves her, as she is a perfect dog nearly!

When I take her to people's houses, and I tell her story, I know people don't really believe me, as she behaves so well. She loves her job, and she loves children now, even though they were the ones who hurt her most. A dog like Nanny was destined for death, so I took her in.

After four years, I am so glad that I did, as she is a great dog, only no one would have known it when I first got her.

I chose Spartacus as I had had 17 years of very difficult dogs and at 58, I wanted an easier dog for once. However, he is not that easy, so I must have some inner sense to choose more challenging dogs without knowing it, or perhaps that is what I am supposed to do in life, without knowing it. I choose dogs that others would not be able to handle and I expect my dogs to be able to go with me to any house and behave.

I am out there working every day with Spartacus, and his strength is a challenge for me, but I am convinced that if I put the work into him, I may one day be able to walk him along off leash like you!!!