I worked hard this week to track Lilly’s behavior patterns so that we’ll have something concrete for comparison down the road when the new drugs and behavior work kick in. Here are a few things I found interesting:
Kissing Fits
Now that I know that Lilly’s kissing fits mean anxiety, I try to figure out what causes them. And, the sad new is that sometimes it’s a little as hearing men talking up the road from us or a big wind gust (which might possibly be an a heretofore missed aversion to chimes).
I’m using the plan for fixing Attention Seeking Behaviors, which is essentially giving her the cold shoulder, and if necessary leaving the room, closing the door. Sometimes I have to do this 4-5 times in a row before Lilly will stop kissing or seeking my attention.
What’s interesting is that if Ginko is nearby, like we’re all hanging out on the patio, she’ll run over and kiss him instead. Sometimes he just puts up with it. Sometimes he gets frustrated and corrects her. Sometimes he instigates a game of wrestle and chase. I’m not sure what it means, but it made me go hmmmm.
Door Goop & Inside Parties
Much like last summer, we’re having a big recall problem. Well, that’s not quite right. She’ll usually COME to me, but she won’t come inside. She gets close to the door, then freaks out and won’t come in. So, I’m letting her see me smear peanut butter or spray cheese on a paper plate I’ve taped to our storm door. (Tom flipped when I said I’d be smearing food on the door, so the plate is our compromise.)
After I smear, I just come inside without a word to Lilly. We’re trying to use food to change her feelings about the front door.
The front door and dog-pen door phobia is MUCH worst at night. During the day, she usually comes in and out with no problems. It’s one reason we’re going with meds twice a day, rather than just in the morning.
Whenever she comes inside, we have a little party. I sing our coming inside song about getting puppy treats, and I dole out many small treats in quick succession, while skipping around and singing. Seriously … it could be a Broadway show … OK … maybe community dinner theater.
But the song is catchy enough that Tom now gets mad because it gets stuck in his head for hours at a time. Maybe I missed my calling as a jingle writer.
I’m also trying to save all the best food-stuffed toys for evening. That way, when Lilly does come in for the night, there are many fun things to do. I have to stuff 4-5 different things since Ginko always steals 1 or 2, but she seems to like the toys, even if she only plays for 30 minutes or so.
Once I can get her inside, the goal is to prevent her habit/instinct to go and hide, like she has been in recent weeks.
We’ve also been instructed to toss treats on the floor at random times, so that evening is full of surprises.
It’s probably too early (especially with the delay in getting her meds) to say if it’s working, but she did spend a couple evenings sitting with me on the couch, rather than hiding. So, that’s something.
Still, the battle over coming inside continues. Sometimes after 60-90 minutes of trying various tactics, I end up having to grab her and carry her inside. Not the best solution, but by that point it’s getting dark, and there are too many dangers around here. (Our neighbors had a bear visit overnight last week.)
My lab’s anxiety is night-time specific. Once it gets dark, she starts to worry. Our evening walks have become shorter but my hope is that the DAP will help settle her nerves. I’ve tried the calming band, TTouch wrap, & melatonin too. It’s not obvious (to me) why she is nervous at night, so that makes it so much more difficult to counteract. (It could be that the barometric pressure is different tonight than last). So our work continues…
At any rate, I look forward to reading more about Lilly & her progress. Maybe the new meds will be a step in the right direction.
Thanks so much for visiting. I try to recap some info that will help new readers keep up, but if you want to read about how all this got started, then use the category archive section in the sidebar to the left and click on the one that says Backstory. Those are some of the early posts that explain how our journey started.
I’ve found the DAP helpful when sprayed on a bandanna that Lilly often wore to class. I also used it on her relaxation mat when we did that 15-day protocol in fall of 2007.
I’ve ordered, but not yet received, the diffuser that plugs into a wall outlet so that I can have the scent in our living areas in hopes of encouraging her to come inside at night (now that she’s refusing to do that again … just like she did last summer).
Anyway, welcome to you and the other new visitors.
When I saw this blog mentioned in a magazine I was reading, I was intrigued…I’ve only recently started reading, and if time allows, would like to read some older posts to get the whole story, as it were. I just have to commend you on the work you’re doing with Lily. Its not easy & sometimes not fun or obviously profitable, but its definitely worth it. I too have a dog who has some anxiety issues(lab mix), so its nice to have some insight and perspective from others. I plan on checking out the Dog Appeasing Phermone (DAP) & have just been working to calm and redirect behaviors. I look forward to reading more about your adventures with sweet Lily (I have a border collie too!) and sincerely wish her & you the very best. My border collie has the title LOML (love of my life) 🙂 have a good day!