- Joined
- Feb 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/Gabi_Chivas/status/1001888596398362625
Tweet contains a youtube video of Masaru being walked around before the presentation to Alina.
I know I'm biased - but I really think that Alina handles Masaru much more gently than the man from the Akita society walking her.
Also - poor Masaru seems a bit flustered by all the commotion.
Alina is being very gentle with Masaru. She has a very gentle, soft, calm energy. As sweet as that is she needs to transition to a more assertive demeanor with Masaru very soon. She has got to take control or Masaru will take just naturally assume that she (Masaru) is in charge. Watching Masaru playfully tackle the kid in the park was adorable (and clearly the kid loved it) but it stops being adorable when Masaru gets bigger and stronger. The only way Masaru will learn manners is if she is taught.
Ideally, Alina could channel Eteri's coaching persona for obedience training sessions. I'm not kidding. That confident, authoritative, no-nonsense, aura she projects is perfect for dog training. And clearly for training Olympic Champions.
She can still be sweet, soft and gentle with Masaru, she just needs that underlying 'Eteri-ness' to bring out whenever necessary. I have every faith that Alina can do this. And she can always hire a trainer who specializes in Akitas. Not to mention the grandmother could take Masaru to some beginning obedience classes while Alina trains. That will help grandmother cope with a stubborn Akita while Alina is out of the country competing.


