I wrote a piece last week for Healthypet magazine. Set for publication in fall 2009, I can’t tell you what it’s really about, but I can say that I learned a couple interesting things about teaching dogs about scents. If you want to start doing scent work with your dog, BEER is the best place…
Lilly’s trip to town Sunday went better than last time, where noises conspired against us. She never went into flee mode from fear, but there were several times that my sweet, fearful girl became molasses s-l-o-w, which means she’s stressed. The problem was Trail Hogs. But, the day got better when we ran into Tom and talked him into taking us to lunch. And, when we went for a walk with Katie, Lilly’s best dog friend. …
We first began using the Relaxation Protocol in fall of 2007. Back when I first posted these audio files, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of this detailed, tedious form of behavior modification. Today, some 18 months later, let me be clear. A Relaxation Protocol provides critical baseline training for fearful (or reactive or aggressive) dogs. I honestly think it sets such an important foundation that I will likely use it with all dogs in my future — whether they are fearful or not. …
Between taxes, errands, magazine deadlines, and other grown-up concerns, we didn’t do much training this week. Katie is on activity restrictions at home due to a puffy wrist, but Lilly did visit once with Tom, and he said she was very good at calling off from Katie. So, that’s good to hear. Otherwise, I present a photo and video contribution that show just want a difference a day can make around here. This is probably the most snow we’ve gotten in one day all winter (even though it’s technically spring.). So, we played a little FIND IT, which is our …
Thursday went sideways on me after Lilly suffered tummy upset … all … over … the … house, while I was on the phone. After spot cleaning and later a total house disinfection, as well as baths for both dogs because while you’re soaked you might as well wash both of them, I found myself woefully behind on nearly everything. Today went a bit better in terms of productivity. Still, this dog-girl needs a weekend like you would NOT believe. BUT … I owe you an update. Here is goes. …
Some day, I’ll be done grieving for Katie’s loss, even though I never really had her in the first place. In the meantime, I try to glean what I can from her encounters with Lilly … because really this has been a daily learning exercise. As promised, here is a recap (so far) of what spending so much time together has done for Lilly. …
We’ve been brainstorming why our house might make Katie nervous or wild. It’s hard since we’ve already eliminated or mitigated all the things that made Lilly a wreck, and she’s much more sensitive. So, it’s hard to think of new things. Here’s what we’ve come up with so far. …
Over the weekend, Holly posed a very keen question about the ongoing Katie saga. She asked, “I guess my question would be … not can you give Katie a home, but should
you.” That, dear readers, is the issue, isn’t it? It keeps me up at night, which considering I’m still getting over being quite sick, is not good for my health — physical, emotional, or otherwise. To explore this dilemma, I pose the following imaginary adoption interview. …
After Katie panicked inside our house, during yesterday’s visit, we did more in-and-out games to build her confidence for coming inside. I showed her all over the house, but she seemed particularly fearful of the basement, so we did not go down there. BUT, we struggled with two things when she was inside: 1) She would not lay down and relax. Period. and 2) Anytime Lilly showed any bossy or resource guarding behaviors (usually over me or Tom), Katie responded with invitations to play. …
I could write another long report about how today’s visit is going, but videos tell so much more. Tom brought Kaite over around noon, and since things are going well enough, we pretty much left all three outside to their own devices. We check on them now and then, and everyone is happy and fine. We let all three poke around INSIDE the house, and Katie seemed nervous, agitated, even though Lilly and Ginko were totally fine with it. So, they’re back outside. More info later. …
