Remember that lovely puppy who used to follow you everywhere, hang on your every word and actually come when called?

Where on earth did they go?

These days, just picking up the lead feels like preparing for battle.

The pulling. The zigzagging. The sudden lunges towards every fascinating smell.

Your arms are aching, your shoulders are screaming, and you're beginning to wonder whether you've accidentally entered the World's Strongest Man competition.

And everyone else? Casually strolling along with their perfectly behaved dogs.

Oh, the embarrassment!

Then there's recall.

Standing in a field, calling your dog's name until you're blue in the face, while a furry backside disappears into the distance. Not even a backward glance.

And that sinking feeling when someone else is watching?

They must think I've never trained this dog in my life!

The bouncing. The pestering. The selective deafness.

The dog who could sit, stay and settle beautifully, now looks at you as though you're speaking an entirely different language.

It's frustrating. It's exhausting. And sometimes you could just scream!