If you had to guess who has a bigger brain, would you choose Kaleo or me? Aspen, the one with a humorous blog, or Kaleo, the one who thinks their tail is a snake? You would think with the definition of insanity—(trying the same thing and getting the same result) would deter Kaleo, but I think if Kaleo ever had the chance to have met Einstein, he would have chased him too.

Aside from my superior intelligence, there was a time when I hated my leash. As soon as that leash went on, it was a tug-of-war time. I frequently tugged my way out of Mom’s grasp, leaving a flailing leash behind me as I ran free, or as Kaleo would say, “snake behind you!”

I will let you in on a little secret; I love my leash now. It is like I’m wearing a crown. Here comes royalty with a 24-karat leash and a priceless poop bag dispenser. So what changed? My parents signed me up for a brain training course for dogs, or “Big Brain Academy,” as I like to call it since I was in it.

Adrienne, the dog trainer, helped me understand my aggression. And since then, Mom and I have enjoyed more quality time together on walks without tug-of-war or snakes.