Taking the Lead

Say hello to my three dog-children: Baron, Brandy, and Jazzy! They are AKC registered mini-dachshunds who are a part of our family.


I think they forget they are dogs, until it is time for a walk.


When the leashes come out, the chaos begins! Not only are they eager to run rapidly out the door, they each want to take the lead!

I have tried leashing all three together, driving them like chariot horses ahead of me. It works until an unexpected dog or person comes into view, and then they bark, scatter, and lunge in three different directions. Our vigorous pack dog run digresses into a mild panic.

As my husband and I have attempted to address this dilemma, we have viewed dog psychologist Cesar Milan's show "Dog Whisperer" for insights into our doggy children's behavior. I also decided to work with each dog, one at a time and try to correct the errant behavior.


First I started with Baron. He is the red male in our trio. Ten years old, he literally grew up with our youngest daughter and follows me around the house. Baron considers himself the household watch dog--barking ferociously at all strangers.

He has been snake-bit, scarred, and back-stressed, but he still considers himself the alpha/leader dog.

No matter how many times I tried to make him follow on the leash, he pulled just hard enough to walk a few steps ahead of me on the walk.



This is Baron's mate, Brandy. She is a four year
old red/black brindle who sleeps in the bed with my youngest daughter, climbs in my husband's lap whenever it's available, and wants me to pick her up and hold her every time she hears thunder.

She is a cat in a dog's body! A skittish scaredy-cat and prowling hunter, all wrapped up in one little package.

On her walk, she doesn't want to lead as she does not really follow. She yaps at nothing and darts about, tangling the leash around my legs.


What I see so far is that not following or trusting the lead (her master) takes away from enjoyment of the walk as much as when Baron tries to take charge of the lead, when I am the one who cares for them and protects them from harm.

How similar to my walk with God at times. There are times when God is not working fast enough for me, and I surge ahead--taking the lead. Other times I act as if God is not leading at all, and I dart about in worry and uncertainty.

Ironic isn't it, when God is the one who takes care of me and protects me. I am His special treasure. He wants to walk with me, following and trusting His lead, submitting to His leadership and enjoying the time together.

I am so like my sweet dachshunds sometimes. I know they adore me. They follow me around the house. Sleep on the floor by my bed. Depend on me to care for them. They trust me, and for the most part, they obey me.

But when it comes to the walk--they struggle with following the lead.

I am still learning to walk with my God. He is the Creator of the universe. My loving Father. King of Kings and Friend of my Heart. I love Him. Adore Him. And depend on Him for everything.

And still, I struggle with following His lead.
Lord, teach me to be a follower, so I can truly walk with you.