She’s a great gal, but it’s as if she can’t comprehend basic commands. SIT was a breakthrough; but she can’t do it outside of the apartment and I have to typically be standing. Teaching her DOWN is frustrating too, and I’ve tried a couple techniques with it. The most difficult is seeing another dog on our walks, or finding something that smells good- in these cases I feel so bad since she starts coughing, choking herself, yelping, and flailing about; and I can’t get her to sit, so I feel like I’m doing her a disservice in a way.

A little backstory: Moreover, she was in a crate for nearly the first 4 years of her life and had urine burns and matted fur when she got to the shelter; so I can’t be mad that she’s excited to experience life. She also does have some anxiety though too, which is exhibited by excessive panting and following me around the apartment. When I’m gone, she sleeps by the door.