Who me? Getting OCD?
Lilly’s regimented behavior modification plan may help her overcome her generalized anxiety, social phobia, sound sensitivity, and other fear-based issues, including snarking at other dogs. BUT, I think it’s making me obsessive-compulsive. I feel like I’m developing OCD.
Since so many of her training tasks are timed — do this for 15 steps, do that for 45 seconds, sit still for 75 seconds — and since the negative feedback process requires me turning my back or leaving the room for 20-30 seconds, I feel like I’m counting something all the time.
When we’re walking, I try to remember how many “scary” things we saw or heard so that I can write it down when we get home. That mantra often goes like this: “2 barking dogs, 4 cars, rooster, helicopter, 3 people…”
I might be the lady shuffling around mumbling numbers now, but I guess I won’t worry until I’m convinced the world will end, if I don’t count every tile on the floor or every big rock we see.
I’m not flipping light switches. I’m not constantly washing my hands. I’m not doing a little jig before turning on my computer.
BUT, I am always measuring time and space and response, and I think it’s making me a little loopy.
