Another Breakthrough: Summertime Fears

While we’re on a roll, let me add that we seem to have overcome Lilly’s fears of coming inside the house, only at night and only in the summer. It has been one of the most puzzling of her fears over the years.

Oh, she still slows down approaching the house. She still balks a little bit. She’ll even sit or lie down, rather than come running inside.

BUT, I began just standing with my back to her, while holding open the front door.

I don’t say anything. I just stand there, and usually within about 30 seconds, she comes inside on her own. No fuss, no muss.

What It Means?

Perhaps Lilly reads my turned back as a “Not that. Try again” message … like when you don’t click when shaping a behavior.

She might read my posture as less “threatening” since I’m putting no pressure — verbal, physical, or otherwise — on her.

Your thoughts?