Weekly Training Update (July 18)

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.