Training Investment

I've mentioned that I have two dogs. One, a loveable 6 year old lab mix (Dakota) who Joe got from a rescue group when he and I first started dating. The other, Willow, is our 1 year old lab who we got because we thought Dakota needed a friend and I needed a project. Challenge doesn't begin to describe this dog. At times I think I could maintain my fitness level just by running after her. (Or from her.)
Let's take this evening as an example. The minute I get home I go into my pup-carer routine. Up the stairs to change into my 'dog-walking' clothes. It's not so much that I don't want to walk around in business clothes, it's that Willow manages to somehow stain most clothes I wear. I head downstairs and let the monster out of her crate. She's the most adorable pup for the next several minutes as she licks my hand and dives through my legs so that I'll pet her rump. (May not sound like an ideal pet behavior, but it's quiet comical.) Next we head inside to stuff her water-soaked kibble into Kongs (a rubber dog toy that is "indestructable") and then freeze them for the next few meals. As soon as I shut the freezer door, Willow is headed for her leash. She knows it's time for her walk. Lately I've been walking them separately. Dakota has developed mild leash aggression and I have to work one on one with him to fix it. Each dog ends up with a 30 minute walk. Today I couldn't help but be envious of the runners out there. It's PERFECT running weather, and it's such a shame that I am missing it. It was dark by the time Dakota's run/walk was over, and time to cook dinner.
I managed to cram in a training session with Willow before it was her dinner time. And after her dinner, like every other night, she can be found sitting at my feet, barking. She has plenty of "behaviors" that we're working on, but this is the one that drives me crazy. I'm working on my skills to ingore her, but the more I pretend not to hear it, the more my impatient self wants to shout back at her.
This is why we've invested in a dog trianer. This trainer teaches several obedience classes through the town, and Willow and Dakota have each gone. Willow actually passed basic obedience, but still cannot be left in a room alone. So the trainer has come to our house once and identified Willow as a high-anxiety dog. She's given us many of tools, and things to practice. And Joe and I have been really dedicated to training Willow to be a good dog. But sometimes I wonder if my expectations are too high for her. After all she is only 14 months old. I also wonder if it's possible to combat her "high-anxiety" nature. After 10 days of following the tips and tools from the trainer, I've seen a little change. On Saturday the trainer comes back, and I have two huge concerns. 1) Willow won't demonstrate how much she's learned. 2) The trainer will want us to do even more with Willow. Sometimes I fear that training this pup could be a full time job.
I know it's all a matter of hardwork, dedication and time. I'll keep you updated.