I know! Do not fall out of your chair. We actually have some dog-training updates to share. I cannot even begin to describe what’s what behind the scenes that continues to keep us from our regular progress. BUT, I have two out-in-the-world updates this week.
Remember, my quest to get written prescriptions with plenty of refills so that getting Lilly her medications wasn’t such a hassle? Remember how it took two visits to get the prescriptions because of another emergency at the hospital? Well, imagine my frustration to find that the prescription was wrong — all wrong — when we…
Because we’ve had less than zero luck trying to use BAT (behavior adjustment training) in the real world with dogs (because the ones we run into have their own issues), I tried doing a little BAT work with Lilly and this one black-and-white horse who loves to run out and follow us (along the fence line) on our walks.
Whether it’s because of the economy, reaching a certain age, or other even-less-pleasant circumstances, many people now seek some sort of reinvention in their lives. Yes, I’m talking to, you, (insert your name here).
Last week, during one of our regular walks, Lilly and I got chased down by a couple of spaniels with whom we’ve had trouble (off and on) for years. Considering that Lilly is suddenly hiding again inside the house (behind the toilet, in the basement, etc.), I suspect the scare is having lasting effects.
Do not faint. We actually have dog training news to report. For the FIRST time since February 3, Lilly and I went to our advanced pet dog training class (drop-in) last Sunday. It’s a miracle. I know.
After the recent rattlesnake scare, our friend Debbie Jacobs from FearfulDogs.com pointed out that I said I was still upset, shaken, feeling the effects of the fear hours later. The truth is this VERY BIG scare hung remained active in my body for days. And, as Debbie reminded us, that’s an important lesson when dealing with a fearful dog.
Did I mention that nonstop stress greatly lowers my tolerance for baloney? Well, here is another rant, inspired by the mountain bikers who nearly ran me and Lilly over on a hike recently.
One day last week after dinner, the dogs and I wandered around the upper pasture so that they could get some supervised time outside. This summer’s rattlesnake encounters mean they get little to no time outside alone. Everything was going great, until the @#$@ FedEx guy pulled up and did about the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Ginko is a doggone, five-star, full-fledged HERO! This morning, he protected Lilly from a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike mere feet from the back of the house. I’m still shaking, and it’s been a few hours since it happened.
