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.
I don’t think it’s OCD, just good, scientific dog training.
I have to do that sort of counting for my physical therapy exercises (‘x’ reps of this, hold that stretch for ‘y’ seconds, etc.) and it drives me loopy too and I’m only doing it for 30-45 minutes a day.