Is the Honeymoon Over?

Now, I've done it. I've created the BAD EXPERIENCE...I've been a BAD dog mom.
I tried to introduce Brady to THE LEASH and he bucked and pitched like a frickin' bronco til he released his soft, furry perfectly oval puppy head from the loop.

Maybe, it was because he fell in love with the compost container which looks like a fertility figure in our yard. Perhaps it was the "come hither" scent of decomposing apples and potato peels that drew him to it. He was licking the black juices that were dripping from one of the holes in the bottom of the plastic urn type receptacle like it was dispensing strawberry margaritas. I tried cajoling, offering biscuits, my approval, an ear rub but nothing, no nothing could tear Brady from his very own garbage juice dispensing machine. 

Cesar Millan says to make the leash experience a positive one, to elicit the puppy's cooperation by making a slipknot loop while offering a treat on the other side so he'll put his head through himself. I tried so hard to make leash time fun! Why doesn't Brady like being pulled by his neck? (Note to self: buy harness and saddle him up like a horsey...)

After the mini-rodeo demo, I threw the useless leash on the steps. 

I gave the calm assertive "Brady, Come!" command, I offered a delicious dog treat with meat juices and natural, organic ingredients. But, that just didn't compare once he found the evil, forbidden "fruit". So, I marched over to him, scooped him up (no discussion!) and promptly placed him in his crate. Bad mom, again! He's supposed to see the crate as his HAVEN, his refuge, his comfy den, not a time-out chair-
Guess the puppy honeymoon's over and Brady may not be perfect after all. Turns out, he's a DOG and DOGS are animals and animals like garbage. 

How I will mourn the loss of his sweet, musky puppy breath.
I'm wondering if it will help to sign up for puppy kindergarten-
Will Brady play "nice" with the other animals, who also like garbage?

Brady, the nosy puppy. 

Photo by Marissa Sher