This week’s Sunday class took place in and around Whole Pets, a specialty pet store located (of course) near Whole Foods. I had hoped to tell you that all this relaxation training paid off, but I can’t. There was too much noise and movement for Lilly’s delicate sensibilities. During the hour-long class, she relaxed for maybe 15 minutes of it. Mostly, she just freaked out and blew me off.
The store is pretty small, with narrow aisles. It was fairly busy, but not packed. Still, Lilly was NOT happy inside. It did not help that a couple dogs were screaming their heads off back in the do-it-yourself dog wash area.
We walked around and worked in the parking lots and on the sidewalks. Lilly tried hard, but the traffic noise from the nearby streets and all the shopping carts rattling across the icy lot put her over the edge. Poor thing. It was all she could do to focus on me and keep walking.
She did a bit better the second time we went into the store. She greeted the store staff well, took treats and such, but she would only do the most remedial tricks for them, which is a sure sign of stress.
She did have ONE pretty relaxed down stay in the store, next to Leo (the young Airdale) and Romeo (a standard poodle) who were our only classmates.
We went outside again and practiced polite passing in close quarters. In other words, we heeled past each other on a narrow sidewalk and rewarded the dogs for looking away from one another on approach, which is what polite dogs do, I guess. Lilly pretty much looks at me all the time anyway, so she did fine even with these two young male dogs walking by.
At the end of class, however, when I bent down to massage her a bit, she growled at Romeo under her breath and took a step toward him. It was the same mommy-guarding thing she does to Ginko at home, so rather than “reactive” I think she was resource guarding me, which she does sometimes, especially if I’m bending down at her level.
I know that, but I thought she could use some body contact from me.
So, it was a pretty discouraging outing. Lilly could only do very basic things, like sit, and even then she seemed not to be listening for real.
Then, we had the near miss in the car on the way home. I wrote about that on Weds.
Once we got home, Lilly seemed very, very subdued. She just laid around and slept, like the strain of class was just too much. It made me sad.
I need to work on a specific training plan now that we’re into our third 15-day use of the relaxation protocol. I’m ready to start working on some of the other items from “Control Unleashed.” It’s still kind of overwhelming to me, so I’ll just pick one piece at a time and keep you posted.
It’s snowing here again today. Hope you’re warm and safe and not losing your mind this holiday season. Have a good weekend.
ONE ADDITIONAL NOTE
I learned yesterday that Dr. Karen Overall, who developed the relaxation protocol we’re using, lost her dog Flash to hemangiosarcoma on Dec 8. Flash came to her as a very severe case, after putting several people in the hospital. Most people would have chosen euthanasia, but she worked with Flash and turned things around. They were very close, and based on the long, beautiful note she wrote, she’s grieving hard. So, think a good thought for her today.
She has come a long way. You’re right. This environmental overload was quite common when she was younger, except she would go into complete flee mode. I seriously used to double-leash her because I was so afraid of her getting loose. So, at least, she could minimally function. That’s something, I guess.
Next week’s class is along a pedestrian mall. There are a few shops that allow dogs, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m thinking the Sunday before Xmas might be a zoo. All the rattling bags might make her nuts. Rustling paper completely freaks her out. Poor thing.
Sometime in January, we’re slated to work in a new shopping development that allows dog. That’ll be after all the holiday hubbub, so we’ll get a chance to see if she adjusts over time to these new, tougher environments.
It actually sounds like Lilly did pretty well considering all the noise, close quarters, etc.
Why not try taking her to a new place that’s quiet and has plenty of room and see if you notice a difference in that environment?
Also, it sounds to me like Lilly has come a looooong way since you got her. If you look back, can you see how far she’s come?