Christmas wishes

Yes I know I'm not blogging regularly at the moment.  1.  Icy weather, when it's slippy underfoot the thought of trying to reign in a dog that's lunging at another dog is not great for your confidence, he can pull me over at the best of times.  I wish I could stop him lunging it's wearing.
2. Bloody cold walking so find it hard to be out for long, I think I was probably a bear in a previous life.  My desire to hibernate in the winter months is very strong.  If I had my way I would draw the curtains in October and emerge when the bad weather was over!  3. A racking cough which is now on it's 4th week and making me feel wretched, I sound like old man Steptoe on a bad day! 4. Virtually not meeting other dogs or, as usual all untrained/dominant/generally lairy beasts.  Poor Sonny, why can't he be surrounded by nice sensible non reactive dogs who could help him build his confidence! 

This last week we've been trying him OFF medication to see how he would fare, in our view not much difference to his behaviour either way.  Only thing I did notice was that his todger was sticking out again, this is possibly a sign of stress so whether this is a good enough reason to keep him on it, I don't know as the meds are hugely expensive if we have to keep them going over a long period.  Will need to discuss this with Sally and get her advice on this.

Classic example of Sonny not exhibiting any common sense recently.  A girl in the village has just got herself a very sweet Jack Russell pup.  It is TINY, did Sonny react, yes he did.  It's obvious he shows absolutely no judgement about what could be a danger to him or, me.  Another day we past what is a habitually yappy Yorkie who is forever boundary-chasing in the garden.  Glad I don't live next door!  Whenever Sonny sees him, he goes mad. I thought that if we had been able to keep Sonny there long enough he would not have been able to react for ever and would eventually have to calm down.  He tried all tactics, the usual bark and lunge.  I put him in a sit, he would not take a treat, he would look at me, briefly, then he would start again.  At one point he tried 'flight' tactics and appeared to be trying to climb up into my arms, that's when you really see his fear, poor lad.  Unfortunately the yorkie was by now completely frantic and the owner came out to remove him, probably not best pleased that I was making his dog bark even more than usual.  Hey ho, a missed opportunity for both of us to have more well behaved dogs, never mind.

Well the next few days are Christmas so hope all of you have a great time.  Don't forget to keep all the grapes and chocolates well out of the dogs way as they can be lethal and you don't need an expensive vet bill to add to your Christmas financial burdens.

Sonny and I wish you all a Merry Christmas xxx

We've been quiet for a while

We've been quiet for a while.  The snow is falling and the icy roads do not make the dog walking any easier.  A mixed bag of experiences over the last few weeks.  Either not meeting any dogs or, meeting all the wrong ones.  I have started some hypnotherapy sessions to help me manage my anxiety in relation to walking Sonny.  If I can't take my own capacity to trigger him out of the equation he does not have much chance of rehabilitation.

 I've only had one session so far so it's early days.  I'm supposed to visual a confident me walking my dog, it's extremely hard to do but I'm working on it.  In addition I'm supposed to tap various areas which apparently rebalances the meridians, I do find the effect calming but wonder if it works by distraction.  Maybe I could get someone to kick me every time I see another dog, would the effect be the same?  Anyway, if you see a mad woman tapping herself whilst walking along with a rather confused looking dog, it's probably me!

This weekend we were away so consequently had to walk Sonny in a different area, I dealt with this by separating myself from him and walking our other dog ahead of him if we encountered other dogs.  This helps him distract onto where I am rather than the dog he is about to encounter.  He did really well and even managed to pass a collie and 4 kids at close proximity, it just goes to show the more confident the handler the better he is.  This is my mission to get to the point where I feel able to face these situations with him rather than avoiding them and giving that responsibility to other people but at least I got to see that he could do it,

That brain

It was an extremely hard day yesterday.  I have been away for a few days so unable to do our usual session last week.  As you know for those of you who are regular readers, gaps in training make my anxiety get worse.  Yesterday was no exception. My other dog Holly was to be part of the picture today as Sally needed to assess the impact of 'Miss Diva' on Sonny's behaviour.  In the morning she had been a little madam, being very pushy with me about getting into the car on her terms, so I was not expecting great things.  However, she was in fact to be impeccably behaved throughout the morning.  However, the gap in training, my work having been less than enthusiastic about letting me take yet more time off and the addition of another dog made me feel much more worried, now I have another dog to think about and Sonny has been very reactive to other dogs this week with me feeling quite frustrated with him that he has such a long way to go in terms of his desensitisation. 

A spaniel, approaches off lead, Sally has given me clear instructions about situations like this, walk on, don't falter, the other dog will just fall into line and walk alongside or, give up and rejoin his pack.  My unconscious fear works overtime and I find myself diverting off to the side, separating myself from Sally and Rocky who are forging ahead.  It happens in an instant, the drive to avoid situations that I cannot cope with is stronger than the rational side of me that wants to help my dog and conquer my fear.  Sonny does well, he has not reacted, better than he had been managing earlier this week, however Sally is clearly not pleased and makes a wry comment, I'm sure she means well, but as I don't tend to respond well to teasing, I slump further into depression about this brain of mine which still reacts so strongly to situations in which I need to feel strong enough to help my dog.  Things are not going well today.

Further on some young people are mucking about with boats, we have swopped dogs by now, so Sally is taking Sonny forward, putting him up against his fears about close proximity to strange people and things.  A man in a rubber suit holds his hand out to Sonny, it's a tense moment, there's not much more you can do after you've put a big yellow sign on your dog's back, warning people not to approach him!  To my surprise he merely sniffs the man's hand and moves on.  Again I think it's not that he can't be different, he just can't be different with me!

We talk about various options, putting him into various packs of dogs that Sally knows of, none of it sounds ideal and it would be a big thing to do, meaning he would probably have to be away for a few weeks.  What if he reverted to type when he came back to me? It is possible, I've seen it on Cesar Milan several times where the owners simply have the wrong energy or, don't address the unwanted behaviour in the right way.  These dogs usually end up living in Cesar's pack, but today if I thought he would be settled and happy, I think I'd let him go.  What, me? Give up on my beloved dog? Now you can tell what sort of a day I'm having!

It's been a difficult morning, we agree enough for now.  He is making progress but it's very slow and I am up against pressure from work with regard to taking time off for the training.  I'm feeling hemmed in, frustrated, upset and angry.

A few days later and a good sob on the phone to my partner about how useless I feel and how Sonny would be better off with a different owner, I've picked myself up a bit.  Maybe I need to look into doing something about this fear in a different way?  Sally mentioned she knew a good hypnotherapist but I don't want to see a man and he's a long way from where I live.  I decide to look closer to home.  I discover someone not far from me and I go for my first assessment on Saturday.  If she can help me with whatever it is I'm afraid of, maybe we'll get somewhere.  I'll let you know how it goes...

The Woofer and his ball!

Wednesday morning saw further practising of the 'pass and say hi' exercise.  This is to help Sonny to desensitise to coming into close proximity with other dogs and their owners.  Next we move onto the 'startle exercise' of Sonny getting used to people suddenly appearing from behind bushes at him.  Part of Sonny's hyper vigilance when he is out on walks results in him being particularly jumpy around narrow openings, successfully mirrored of course by his erstwhile owner. We are Siamese twins when it comes to tracking danger, as Sally keeps reminding me (I have to say with endless patience!)  Of course now it is relatively easy with Sally and Rocky as I pretty much trust him not to react adversely to either of them.  However this would not be the case at our local shopping centre where anyone coming out from a side-road could be anything from a small child to an elderly adult, all of which I studiously avoid if at all possible.

Next we step up the tempo and go back to the ball throwing.  Throwing for each dog individually whilst the other is on lead.  Sonny is sooooo happy when he sees the ball and the ball launcher, yes he remembers from last time.  Ball means FUN!!  I cannot describe the moment of pure joy of seeing my dog really running for the ball full pelt after so long. One of my great joys about dogs has always been their pure unbridled zest for life.  Dogs never worry about how they come across to others, how their hair looks in the morning or, whether anyone will like them.  They just ARE and how I would like to be if I had anywhere close to their sense of purpose and confidence!! This dog has hardly been able to be let off lead free running for probably the last 7 years?  This is a great moment for both of us as I am reminding of how it used to be when I could take him to the park and keep him focussed on his ball, rather than his fear of other dogs. See the video!!  However, at some point that strategy stopped working and I became too fearful to risk it any more. A little chink of light is beginning to emerge...

Rocky again today teaches me his view of Sonny's readiness to be close to him, namely, not very.  Sally notes that when he retrieves the ball for me he lies down a little way off.  Why won't he come to me?  He knows Sonny won't tolerate it, that's why.  When he gets closer that will tell us that Sonny is becoming more tolerant. Aren't dogs just amazing, they can tell us things that us humans cannot see for ourselves?  There is much to learn about this secret language of dogs and I feel like I am just at the beginning of my apprenticeship.

Sally tells me that these positive moments can be generalised to experiences with other dogs, eventually he will  have to meet other dogs and dogs with issues like him.  At present Sonny is being treated carefully.  Like royalty, he cannot be introduced to anyone without the right credentials, namely 'balanced'.  The wrong experience now could set him back.  Sally is organising 'diplomatic relations' and carefully assessing what he and I can cope with, she is not getting it wrong so far.

The finale.  Sonny and Rocky BOTH OFF LEAD racing down the field, we had debated the possibility of confrontation and decided it was a possible but acceptable risk.  Sonny is still muzzled so cannot do any damage.  Rocky is aware of Sonny's issues and is cautious in his body language and proximity.  Off they go, Sonny tearing along, beside another dog, both off lead both excited.  Recipe for disaster?  No, Sonny recognises he can't pick it up so doesn't try but careers back to me full pelt.  He looks so alive and I am sooooo proud of him and tell him so, he looks at me with those melting soft eyes and gives me his paw.  Doing great isn't he?

Watch him go!

Wednesday is training day, Sonny and I headed off the local park to meet up with Sally and Rocky.  Today we are going to challenge him by having to tolerate Rocky being off lead and running for the ball.  Fortunately Rocky has one of those ball launchers which even with its aid shows up  my complete ineptitude with hand eye coordination. (the bug bear of many a school netball team that had to have me on its patch)!  Fortunately in the dog world, if the ball is unpredictable it makes life more interesting so Rocky was very tolerant of some rather peculiar throws, how he loves his ball!  Sonny of course, now being detained at Sally's side, is beside himself for two reasons, one his beloved mum is more than a stone's throw away and to add insult to injury playing with another dog,

secondly we suspect he would love to join the ball game but cannot.  Next we challenge Sonny's sensitivity to having people and animals coming in close proximity to him. Sally reminds me of the unpleasant feeling that being on a packed train on the underground can have, unpleasant for a lot of people, so we can fully understand how he feels.  But for a guy like Sonny, who is so hyper-sensitive this feeling must be multiplied many times.  I am tasked with running up and down, getting closer each time, with Rocky in tow, putting myself between the dogs, he manages this but I acknowledge that people appearing out of narrow openings unexpectedly is very much a source of my own fear because I am so worried he will react.  Sally suggests I get my partner to practice this as an exercise, so in a way me being startled which is natural, is nothing for him to worry about.  Again I get the question, what am I afraid of when it comes to these situations? I KNOW he can't actually hurt anyone, he could knock a child over, but I would not let that happen, so what is it that bugs me?  Hard as I try I cannot get to the bottom of it, I am even wondering if I should try hypnosis to desensitise myself to these encounters, but still thinking about that one as would be another expense.  How much money is this dog going to cost me over his lifetime, rather like parenthood, best not to think about it!!

Finally Sonny get's his chance, we agree it's safe enough to let him off lead as there are no other dogs around.  Sonny is still muzzled but running for the ball, he loves it, he's totally not worried about Rocky and in future we might even get to a point where they can be off lead together.  At present I'm trying to find a muzzle that would allow him to just be able to pick up the ball so the whole game has some reward for him.  Let's stop it on a good note, Sonny has a positive association of being around Rocky and having a game which will serve him well for next time.

What this dog really needs is to go and live with a pack of dogs but as we know they would need to be balanced as further trauma is not what he needs right now.  My sense has always been that if Cesar Milan had seen Sonny he would have suggested taking him into his pack for several weeks, that would involve intensive work and being around other dogs to the point that he learns the language of dogs.  At present his levels of fear are so great that he is unable to differentiate between non-threat and threat.  Much as I love him I do not propose to ship him off to LA however we may come across a situation that we can put him in here, we will let you know.

Before I finish can I just have a rant about insurance?  It has come to my attention over the last few weeks that it is impossible to get any third party liability insurance for a dog that has bitten, even if he is being muzzled AND on medication AND being rehabilitated by a professional trainer who will vouch for his behaviour and diagnosis.  This, as Sally and I have discussed is a serious issue for anyone with a dog that develops problems with aggression or, considers taking on a dog from a rescue organisation who might have these type of issues.  The future for these troubled and difficult dogs, often presenting with such challenging behaviour through no fault of their own looks very bleak and potentially even more dogs will be euthanized as no one will dare to take a risk!  My best offer was that 'he had to be free of aggression for 2 years' before they would consider it. Thanks a lot Petplan!  Bearing in mind that he would be 12 and a half by then it really wasn't worth it.  All I can say is GRRRRRR!!!

Dogs are like kids really...

I had a bit of an epiphany today, I was thinking about what it's like for children when their parents are very anxious.  Children need parents to tell them that the world is an OK place to be, otherwise they develop fears and anxieties, picking up on the parent's body language and behaviour.  So then, it's the same for our dogs and particularly for Sonny who is such a sensitive boy to changes in his mum's mood, flick of the leash, change in step etc.

It made me think, so I'm really not being fair to you by panicking every time I see another dog.  I've got to convince you that I'm not bothered about it.  You may react because the other dog is the feisty type, can always happen but at least if I don't tune into it, you won't be getting that lack of confidence from me.

Today we practised this, not always successfully, I met a 15month old black lab who was also rescue, Sonny lunged, I have not even looked at the other dog but suspect he probably invited a reaction since his owner described him as a bully to another dog he previously lived with, which is why he's been re-homed.  The owner looks nervous, I stop get Sonny to sit and ask her to do the same.  I find myself going into 'dog trainer mode', explaining why we are doing what we are doing, letting our dogs know 'we are not bothered' and are not going to let them avoid one another, I'm beginning to become a bit of an evangelist, total dog bore.  But the whole thing really is fascinating.  Mission accomplished and two calmer dogs later we move on. 

Up the road a field with horses, good opportunity I think, putting Sonny in a sit and treating him whilst watching the horses on the other side of the road.  On the way back we go in closer.  The horse (fortunately  safely behind his fence) is curious and comes to us, perhaps he thinks he's going to get some treats as well.  Sonny is a bit spooked by his snorting sounds, but I reposition him, he calms down and we move on.

What I find now is I am looking for opportunities to desensitise Sonny to almost anything, loud noises, pneumatic drills. Bring it on world, I've got my treats ready.  I even took him down the 'scarey' narrow passageway where we met our West Highland friend last week, remembering Sally telling me about how dogs can begin to associate certain locations with bad things happening.  It's all good and another step on the journey....

Diplomatic relations!

As promised today Sally and I up the anti on Sonny by taking him to an unfamiliar park where he will meet DOGS OFF LEAD!!!  This is a biggy for both of us as I am very used to avoid such situations, knowing that Sonny and therefore I, cannot cope with them.

However, today it's not raining which is a plus and after a bit of confusion about finding the venue, we manage to meet.

Sally notices that Sonny's body language is altogether more relaxed than before.  In fact, he even looked happy to get in the car for me today, a sense of anticipation that there are good things to come when I take him out in the car.  We are building up good associations with the walk.

Today there are not too many dogs about and we are in a big field which helps me because I am able to see what is coming.  We notice a particularly feisty terrier, who, Sally points out, is totally in charge of his owner and himself, in fact, he owns the field.  He takes an interest in us but does not approach immediately.  Eventually he gets bolder and starts to arch around us.  I am convinced he will make a beeline for Sonny because he will pick up on his anxiety and maybe want to put him in his place.  Apparently if you are walking with two dogs rather than one, this makes it less likely that other dogs will want to approach you, so safety in numbers is the order of the day.  The little terrier never approaches Sonny, relief.  We move on and follow another couple of dogs walking around the field, again the interest is from a distance and they do not approach us or us them.  Sonny is able to walk behind and pick up on their energy.  He is not phased, nor is he phased by walking next to Rocky because he is on lead and this has become OK.  Time to challenge him again then...

Sally decides that it is time to let Rocky off lead and see what happens, Rocky, a different dog with freedom and also on his own patch is happy and excited and approaches Sonny to say hallo.  Uh oh, Sonny launches himself, fortunately muzzled so no damage done.  Rocky has been told, get off or, else!  As usual, I am nearly pulled over in the process, perhaps I need to practice ballet to improve my balance as this dog is adept at cutting across me and wrong footing me during incidents, I want to look cool and unruffled, not managed it so far..As a result of Sonny's reaction Sally suggests that we jog with both dogs on lead so he gets used to dogs running around him, this is successful and there is no reaction.

Important we end it there, on a good note.  Next week same again but this time Rocky will have his ball.  Sonny will be told to sit and be given treats whilst Rocky runs around him.  Sonny is very reactive to any dog exhibiting this kind of excitement and it currently sends him into a lather.  But we have to get him used to it because this is normal dog behaviour.

By the time this is over I shall feel like I have a masters degree in dog ownership,. there is just so much to it.  To all those owners who are lucky enough to have a non reactive dog, I envy you, but I also think you might be missing out on an amazing journey, talk to you soon.....

The famous hoodie!!

 Due to technical ineptitude I couldn't get blogger to accept more than 2 photos, so here is the famous hoodie which goes with the very fetching reflective vest.  Coming soon in a field near you!!!

Visitors and advertising

Last weekend we had a visit from the brother in law, being a laid back kind of chap he cycled over and duly wandered in the front door.  We weren't expecting him!  Taking charge I insisted (in the nicest possible way) that he went out and that Sonny and I met him on the doorstep for a walk!  We sauntered down the road and I explained the training programme.  You will recall that Sally's advice is that all visitors go through this ritual with him so that he learns that visitors mean walk, so therefore something nice will happen!  We walk back into the house having bonded as a pack! Later on my partner said that whatever I had said to him had really made an impact, explaining he was frightened so the very worst thing you can do to a fearful dog is invade his space. Apparently he had said that in the past he (and others in our family) could never understand why we persisted with Sonny and didn't just get rid of him if he was that bad.  Somehow the reframing of his behaviour as being a fearful boy had really helped him to understand why we bother.

Anyway I can report the walk worked and Sonny laid down and didn't bother at all,

It did help that my brother in law was not fearful.  An energy that makes Sonny much more likely to attack.

I've been thinking a lot about how to help people understand what Sonny needs.  I came across a company that would produce customised reflective dog vest and this is the result.  He looks really cute in it and it makes it clear to the world the kind of dog he is, if they decide to pet him anyway, they have been warned!  Incidentally I have also acquired a matching hoodie so that I can stay warm and also advertise my own trainee owner status.  Hopefully it will spark people's curiosity and make them want to find out what we are up to.

Rocky wins again!!

Today's training session did not have a very auspicious start.  The day dawned with a blanket of heavy grey drizzel, and I've been nursing some sort of flu virus for the best part of a week.  I take Sonny out for a brief walk around the village this morning to see how I feel, I feel crap actually.  I deliberate over whether I should phone Sally and tell her that I'm crying off today.  I'm worried that I won't be transmitting the right energy for Sonny and that the extra stress will mean we have a bad morning.  It's already 9 o'clock, so it's too late.  I decide to brave it out, after all probably better that I don't miss a week as my anxiety tends to increase if I don't keep at the exposure work.

As we drive up to the lake it's clear there are not many people about but the lovely Rocky is there waiting and Sonny does well, not reacting to him as last week.  We set off around the lake, the heavens open, both owners now looking like drowned rats.  However, nothing daunted we do the passing exercise, first with owners in between, then allow the dogs to be next to one another.  We up the anti, now Sally gives me Rocky's lead and I am walking both dogs up and down, including a turn.  No reaction from Sonny, brilliant!  Yet again, Sally reflects that Sonny is not aggressive, but uses aggression to avoid situations of which he is fearful.  With Sonny it's all about the approach, if he meets a dog who is a bit 'up there' or, they come too close, or, he is surprised by them, he just can't cope and responds by lunging at them.  This is a 'get off, get away' message and also telling them to get away from his missus, due to him thinking I am scared of the other dog, if he is.  For this reason it was particularly important today that Sonny got to see me walking Rocky in a calm and relaxed fashion, the message being Mum is OK with other dogs then, so maybe I can be too.

Rocky is the most amazing dog.  He is just so attuned to what Sonny needs from him, which is no contact basically.  The dogs walked in closer proximity today but Sonny was OK with it.  At one stage Sally also walked Sonny, to start with he was tense, as his main focus is usually to get back to my side as fast as possible.  After a bit he relaxed more and seemed less bothered about what I was doing. 

The next step is to take Sonny and Rocky to a busier place where he is likely to meet more dogs and some off lead.  At present I am really scared of handling this situation by myself.  However Sally says what I need to do is to keep walking if we meet this situation, as to stop is likely to put more focus on the situation than we want.  If we keep walking the loose dog is likely to get fed up or, it will start walking alongside us.  I have yet to put myself in a situation where this could happen since I tend to avoid field walks where we are more likely to meet dogs off lead.  However, we'll see what happens....

Go West young man!

It's been a mixed bag of experiences this week.  This started with a brief encounter with a feisty Westie boy who whilst looking very sweet was intent on giving Sonny enough eye contact to send him into a lather.  Doing my now tried and tested ritual of not allowing Sonny to avoid with an aggressive display, I invited the Westie's owner to get her dog to sit.  She gave me a somewhat quizzical look, maybe she's in a hurry I thought, not keen on spending any more time with my boy whose not exactly welcoming at the moment.  However, as I watched, few seconds soon showed that the idea of sitting on owner's command for thisWestie was not something he seemed to be used to doing, or maybe he was used to getting away with not doing, who knows.  The Westie's  owner suggests she comes over to me, I suggest I come to her.  We have our dogs in reasonable proximity and I do my usual spiel, explaining why I am putting her and her dog through this and how it is going to benefit Sonny.  What I don't realise is that this dog is not going to give up on eyeballing Sonny, his owner tells me he is 'very protective'.  Not good then, I think.  However, Sonny is able to focus a bit and will take treats from me and give me his paw.  However the next minute he is yet again launching himself at the other dog, with this other dog behaving in such an assertive way, he is clearly not going to calm down.  We agree to leave it for now and I keep him sat as she leaves us.  Along come another couple of little pooches which are a regular sight around the place.  Sometimes they are also keen to eyeball Sonny, but today, I keep him sat and he manages to hold it together.

The very next day, I take all my courage and march Sonny down a narrow path which is blind at either end so no way of avoiding another dog if it comes along.  As I am just mentally visualising what I would do in this situation, guess what , we meet the Westie.  It's no good both the other owner and I have a 'here we go' moment and Sonny does his lurch towards Westie who is unfortunately due to the narrow path, closer than we would like.  In order to be helpful I try to arch around him, Sonny more fierce than ever, launches himself across me, putting me wrong-footed, I am about to go sprawling into the road and a car is coming round the corner, potential disaster.  The other owner is really worried about me, however I am concentrating on Sonny so not really in touch with the potential danger to me.  Afterwards I think about what could have happened and have a cold shiver moment.  I feel bad that I put Sonny in this situation because clearly he is not ready to meet this type of doggy energy without responding, yet...

Rocket man

Hot on the success of our weekend exploits, Sally and I were keen to test the boy still further with his first close encounter with another furry paws.  Rocky was the chosen contender.  A dog well known to Sally and trained by her, so in a good place to behave himself, at least that's the plan.

Rocky was an absolute doll, and won my heart in a matter of seconds when he gave me a 'cuddle', this involves snuggling into your legs and laying his head against you in such a heart-melting kind of way that you could forgive him almost anything.

Sonny was really good and started well without 'swearing' at him.  We set off for our walk, plodding the now familiar trails around the lake.  Sonny did most of his avoidance behaviour, walking the other side of me and sniffing, weeing and generally ignoring Rocky as much as he could, with the occasional sneaky peak out of the corner of his eye.  The best part was that Rocky (normally a very friendly and lively dog off lead) recognised the very subtle signals that Sonny was delivering, so he made absolutely no approaches to him and remained relaxed, chilled and in good order. 

At this critical stage of closer introductions it is really important to ensure that the dogs he gets to meet have the right 'energy'.  As you know my observations of neighbour dogs have shown that many of them are not 'balanced' and therefore would set him off, rather than improve his confidence.  Collies in particular are a problem due to the aforementioned 'stalking behaviour' which is natural to them but he immediately reacts to by lunging etc.  


We interspersed our forays around the lake with circling one another in the fields and doing the passing exercise where we pretend not to know one another and say 'Hi'.  This is all good practise for other walks where we will meet people unexpectedly.  In addition Sonny will now walk quickly or, slowly on command and I am to put as many of these exercises into our normal walks so that I can use these as a way to divert him out of a situation if a potential problem presents itself to us.

Sonny is still reactive with the more assertive dogs but in the main his reactions are becoming less than they were which is so great to see.  He is genuinely starting to become desensitized.  We did have a few hairy moments.  There was the passing of the elderly couple, the lady looking quite frail and holding onto a walking frame, with the dog in tow.  I couldn't risk Sonny maybe lunging and causing a fragile old lady to crash to the floor, so diverted away from her.  At another turn of the road, we met a rather dominant mongrel type.  In my efforts to divert my runaway brain from  anxious thoughts, I was busy counting backwards.  Unfortunately, Sonny was having none of it and decided to lunge at the other dog, whereupon I found myself shrieking out '356!!!!' out loud, and in a public place.  I fear it's only a matter of time before the men in white coats come to get me....

Fright flight avoid?

The Autumn equinox is past and with it comes the misty mornings over the fields and a chilly snap leaving you unsure what clothes to wear for dog walking.

This week has seen the fall and rise of this owner's confidence with the breakneck speed of a Blackpool roller coaster.

On Wednesday Sally and I were at the local country park where we were walking the paths encountering dogs on lead, off lead, children and bicycles.  Annoyingly, my tendency to reassure or praise Sonny inadvertently before he passes the object in question is still an issue.  I am reminded that my emotional state is likely to keep him where he is, rather than to help him move on.  How to stop this ingrained behaviour which I have attuned to over so many years of having him is proving incredibly frustrating for me and today disheartening.  It is hard for me to see all his progress when I feel I am not coping as well as I should, I'm starting to feel that sense of being a failure again which I have met so many times in the past in trying to train him.

After we get back, I recognise I have to sort this out if it is not to become a barrier for me.  I recall my childhood piano teacher, telling me 'there's really no point in coming for lesson's if you don't practise in between'.  What have I been doing then with this dog?  Avoiding walking him that's what, because I do not feel 'ready' and am still too fearful of meeting other dogs!  It is then that I realise that the long gaps in between these lessons is allowing my anxiety to accumulate rather than decrease and so I decide that I have got to do something different!

The next day I tell my partner that I want to start walking Sonny in the mornings, I just have to become less sensitive to all the potential hazards so that I can build up my confidence.  

Our first day out together is a bit of a wet one.  On the way back we meet an aging collie cross in the churchyard.  He is way out in front on a flexi lead and I am in the process of putting 'you know what' in the dog bin.  Not much time to think of a strategy, we just have to face it.  Sonny does his usual reaction, giving the other dog his 'leave us alone' routine and the other dog gives him a mouthful back. I realise the other owner is walking my way home.  Rather than leave this situation on a negative note, I decide to ask her if she wouldn't mind asking her dog to sit.  After a bit of persuasion, Sonny does the same.  Over the next couple of minutes both dogs are calm and Sonny accepts treats and even 'gives paw' in the other dog's presence, whilst I explain to the owner the importance of what we are doing for Sonny's benefit.  She is very understanding and tells me about her own dog's problems which she has successfully cured over the years. 

It's interesting how presenting Sonny as a 'frightened' dog rather than an aggressive dog has changed my own and other people's perceptions.  It seems that people are more forgiving of a dog that is showing signs of aggression in the face of being overwhelmed, rather than seeing him as 'dangerous'.  He's just a little dog inside a big dog's body who's never learnt the rules.  10 years old and he's still trying to get there.

Saturday was pouring down so I decided not to  do to much but today when my partner suggested going to a local food and drink festival, I decided to use the opportunity to bring Sonny along.  So to set the scene, imagine a muddy field, rain pouring down.  A few dogs (on lead fortunately) but masses of people, small children, pushchairs and yes, a brass band.  In short for a nervous dog, SENSORY OVERLOAD!!!

I think about the way Sally has been helping us to approach new situations, circle the edges of it, let him sit and take treats, taking it in, let him suss the situation out, then......there's nothing for it.....in you go.  I've got the radio on in my ears (another of Sally's suggestions to give me another focus, other than thinking about all the things that might go wrong).  Unfortunately the reception is bad and what with the brass band it's almost impossible to hear anything of the station I am tuned into.  Nevertheless, I lead him into the midst of the stalls, passing every conceivable object of fear, things with wheels, lots of two-leggeds, small, wobbly two-leggeds with high, squeaky voices.  So far so good.  We stop by the brass band which is LOUD, my poor dog's ears!  Despite torrential rain and him looking like he doesn't know where to put himself, I ask him to sit amidst the madness  He takes treats and gives me his paw.  We turn around and come back and in a few minutes try it again.  An older couple ask me about Sonny and start to approach, why is he wearing a muzzle, does he need it all the time, am I his owner, oh good so he has a home then (were they offering?).  A few short months ago I almost felt that I was no  longer the right owner for my boy and that I had in fact made his anxiety worse over the period that I had had him. However always came to the conclusion that it would be terrible to pass the problem onto someone else.  Euthanasia was the only other option.  Today, that thought could not be further away.

If anyone could have told me that I would have the confidence to take my dog into this sort of situation I would not have believed it could be possible.  It just goes to prove that as a pack leader you have to be confident otherwise your dog cannot put his confidence in you.

Sonny I am so proud of you today, let's see how we get on tomorrow.... 

Pay it forward, another lovely blog

In honour of Tilly's award I am recommending the following blog also for the Lovely Blog Award:

Vick Dog Blog 

This is a great story of hope for some really traumatised dogs and the photos are terrific!

We've got an award

Thanks so much to our dear new friend Tilly who has just awarded us:

We've never had an award before, so we're very proud!


Tilly is a rescue too and sends us notes of encouragement about our troubles, read her blog, isn't she gorgeous!

Thanks Tilly you're a pal!

Village life

The last couple of weeks have seen Sonny and I working on acclimatisation to other dogs in our locality.  Unfortunately or, fortunately for us, many of our local dogs do not appear to be 'balanced' as Cesar Milan would say, so it is difficult to find the right sort of dogs for Sonny to meet.

However Sonny and I have persevered with the help of Sally and we have now made a few encounters which are helping us to see his progress.  Sally is noticing that the barking and lunging that often takes place seems to be losing a measure of intensity.  This is where having a trainer working with you is so invaluable.  There are so many things to concentrate on that if I was trying to do this on my own I would not be able to see the progress always and become disheartened.

The scenario goes like this, approach dog, if Sonny reacts, get him to sit and then take treats opposite the stranger dog.  This is because a large part of his fearful reaction is because he wants to get out of the situation as quickly as possible, another words it's an avoidance tactic.  Sally tells us that it is important that we don't allow him to avoid and that he needs to face situations and end them on a positive note.  The message is if you meet another dog, nothing bad is going to happen.  

Do you recall his previous experience with Colin the Collie?  Well, we did meet him again recently and fortunately Sally was able to tell me that this collie's stance was 'stalking behaviour' a prelude to play which was friendly and typical of the breed. Next time you are watching a collie herding some clueless sheep, you'll see what I mean! For a nervous boy like our Sonny this was however clearly too much for him to deal with at his current stage, so no wonder he was reacting badly.  Unfortunately I have not seen his owners since but if I do will try to find out if we can walk them alongside eachother again, as he really needs the practice.

On another occasion the good old boy (13 yr old black lab) who lives opposite came to help us at the local field.  Despite being docile as anything and very arthritic, Sonny made no distinction.  If it's got four legs and canine it's a threat me and my owner!  A dog that lacks confidence has to take his opportunities to big himself up and make himself feel important.  A good reason therefore to show him that his owner might decide to walk this other dog and feel fine about it.  Part of Sonny's fear gets projected onto me, because he fears other dogs he automatically assumes I need to be protected too!  Of course I didn't start out as fearful of meeting other dogs as I have been since having Sonny, but I've had a lot of conditionig.  Thus he is fearful, so I am fearful and it all goes round again.

I need to work a lot on my fear of us passing by people, particularly children.  We practiced this as an exercise with Sally today and he just sniffed her.  My fear is about him lunging but I know that anticipating a problem,praising him in a slightly tense voice before he has successfully passed the distraction,  jerking the lead and changing my pace or, direction are all triggers for him to see a reaction from him is needed.  How to break this habit in myself when it is now so automatic?  It is very hard, before you've even registered the thought properly your body has taken avoidant action.  Sally even tried to block me doing this today but I expertly dived around her, not even realising what she was doing.  More practice needed here I feel. 

Also on a positive note, I have been working separately with my other mongrel (welsh collie, possibly yorkie cross) who is also I have discovered. a real wind up merchant with other dogs.  Although not directly aggressive,' years of living with Sonny has led her to 'eyeball' any dog that comes by.  This needs to be stopped because we will not be able to walk them together if she is feeding him the bait every time.  So, I have been rewarding her for passing other dogs by ignoring them and in the same way, if the other dog is reactive, making her sit in front of them and focus on me.  This seems to be working well and I notice she is become much more trusting and leaving me to make the decisions in these situations.  However, she's a real diva so any day I'm not on top of it and she'll step right back in there, I'm sure.

Our next step is to meet up with Sally and another dog she knows to walk Sonny and this dog together, this dog is apparently quite lively and friendly.  We will let you know how it goes... 

Vets and TV men

It's been a busy week for Sonny.  Last Saturday we had our annual trip to the dreaded vets, never a pleasant experience for owner or dog in our case.  Unfortunately we were also due a visit from the Sky TV men to put in a new aerial, the very poor TV reception in deepest darkest rural England has meant weeks of watching CSI Miami (what is the point of that bloke in the sunglasses?) and serial episodes of The Hotel Inspector who, much as I love her, can get a bit tedious after a while and I began hearing the signature tune in my sleep!

Anyway I digress, we felt that two burly TV men on a mission to fit a satellite dish were not going to be best placed to go for a dog walk.  If you recall we are now under instruction to get all visitors to come on a quick walk around the block to help desensitise Sonny to their presence.  We somehow felt that the garage was going to be the best place for him in this instance, only this time the peanut butter was missing (see earlier post for rather unfortunate early  experiences with said food stuff)! 

Whilst the Sky Men were busy, Sonny and I headed off to the vets.  My plan:  arrive really early before too many dogs and people.  I leave him in the car and announce our arrival to reception.  The surgery area is nice and quiet, no dogs, good.  One man is quietly sat with what looks like a cat in a box on his lap, not a canine in sight.  It's going well so far.  I return with the boy, in the few minutes I am gone the reception area has exploded into action, the receptionist is pre-occupied with a phone call so not able to operate the scales and there are now two dogs in reception.  Sonny and I take the only hidey hole in the room next to a door.  He has already spied one of the dogs, which, although quite old and docile, is causing him to shake visibly.  He is not happy.  I sit myself and make him sit too, he's desperate to climb in my lap.  No Sonny you're not a cat, I don't let him.  He sits again, too scared to take a treat but at least he's behaving.  

Within seconds the nice young vet has called us in.  What is it with vets they never seem to know how to approach dogs who are nervous?  She crouches down beside him and gives him eye contact.  I suggest that she doesn't do that as he doesn't like it.  She leaves the room to consult a colleague about vaccinations, Sonny is desperate to vacate the area, he's heading for the door.  I gently guide him back and start walking him in circles, making him sit, give paw etc.  He is willing to do this and accepts a treat when just now he wouldn't.  This is good.  The vet returns and Sonny gives her a baleful look, people moving around him always make him nervous.  I hold his head and she gives him a jab, he doesn't flinch and immediately takes my treat.  Well done boy, he's never agreed to accept treats before in the vet's office.  Nor have I ever been prepared to take him there by myself, always asking my partner for backup in the past.  Further small signs of progress. 

Playtime

We took this vid of Sonny last week. It's great to see him free, happy and no muzzle. Hasn't he got a great grin!

For some reason we can't upload the video on Blogger as yet, but check it out on this Youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVvaLwWwD0Q

Who says dogs can't smile?

There's nothing better than a tummy tickle...

I am sitting on a bench by a pond, the sun is out and around me are the sounds of
other dogs, children, pushchairs and the like.  Sonny is facing me and I have my back
to the various distractions.  He has his 'soft eyes' and gently takes a treat through
his muzzle.  After a few goes at this, he lies down on his side, I stroke him
'good boy' and then he lies with his legs up in the air, the ultimate request,
'come on mum, give me a tickle'.  My boy lying on the floor asking for a tickle in
the vicinity of children?  Are we talking about the same dog?  Two weeks ago I could
not have done this with him.  He has improved so much from the fearful boy who
wanted to go for anything that came his way.

At one point earlier this morning we were sat on another bench and we were facing
feisty dogs, barking dogs, running children, children making music (the park play
equipment incorporates some sort of musical instrument), the works.  Each time he
managed to remain focused on me and not be distracted or, fearful of what was
going on around him.  The treats are creating a new situation, it means good
things happen when I see this stuff.  Good things happen when I see a child.
Sally points out that Sonny is beginning to look at me now whenever he sees these
things, he's anticipating a treat, this is good.  Much better than 'Cruise Missile
Mum' that he's been used to.

My partner, also reported a good morning with the boy. Meeting several dogs on
his walk and he found he was able to stop and yes, hold a conversation with some
of them.  Socialisation not just for dog but the owners too, whoopee!!  This
is something he has never been able to do before and a particular part of the
pleasure of dog ownership that we have always missed out on.  In fact, Sonny was
better when my partner was not focussed on him and asked him to sit whilst he
talked.

This is BIG, all those times when we tried with various different training methods,
trainers, books, gadgets and every time, we would get stuck.  The underlying
issues of dog aggression, general nervousness and unpredictability not fading.
It was so disheartening and sometimes downright depressing!  I, in particular
felt a complete failure as a dog owner that I could not cure his problems.  But...
we are beginning to see some signs of change and in what feels like quite a
short space of time.

Sally says that he is going to have 'blips', of course he will but, that I mustn't
let this get to me.  That he can't do any damage to anyone when he's wearing a
muzzle.  I still worry about him frightening people, particularly knocking over a
toddler, dealing with an irate mother.  BUT, I know anticipating these problems is
more likely to create a reaction.  I still need to work on this and it's a massive
act of will not to let that fear run away with me. There are times I still pre-empt
situations by saying good boy before he's passed the incident without reacting.
There is a danger here I could set him up, so I need to watch it, timing as they
say is everything.

Sonny had a great morning and he was very tired at the end, just flopped down in the
car. Sally and I were so proud of him, hope you are too..

What a star

This is me and my housemate Holly, we get on well.

Another session at the lake. Sonny and I on our own this time. I am the one that needs the most work as my history of difficult experiences with him is extensive and I need as much desensitisation as the boy does. Sonny, trainer and I walk past lots of different situation, small children in pushchairs, pushchairs and small children walking, adult dogs, puppies in training. Why, I ask does Sonny always become aggressive around a pup, surely he must know they mean him no harm. Sally tells me that as a major cause of Sonny's behaviour is fear, it gives him a bit of confidence to bully up to a little pup. Yep, that makes sense, now I'm getting it. We spy a pair of brown collies, the owners know Sally and they stop for a chat. Tell Sonny to sit and we'll see what he does. I stand a few feet back. Sonny, on a slackish lead, is calm. The dogs are not reactive and sit too, one is slightly interested but not in a problematic way. I tell Sonny to 'watch', I offer him a treat, to my delight he gives me eye contact and takes it. This means his anxiety is at a manageable level or, he would not eat. After a few goes I decide to test him further, 'give paw' I say, blimey, he does! I now have a totally calm and relatively relaxed dog sitting a few feet from two stranger dogs. This is what we want!

We proceed on our way, a lively dog approaches, reading body language is so important to helping Sonny. It is no good introducing him to adverse experiences if we can help it. We *arc around this dog, Sally tells me providing we are purposeful it is OK to do this. What is not OK is being hesitant, stopping, faltering or, walking back the other way which only reinforces to Sonny that I don't know what I'm doing and then he won't trust me. Another dog approaches, a young staffie type. I had already spied this dog earlier and decided he was 'up there' so felt not a good energy for Sonny to meet. I say to Sally 'now that dog's up there', I stop, realising that I am not alone, now I'm telling the trainer what to do! What am I like, like a cruise missile that's what. With close to military precision I scan any situation where I am out with the dog and guess what he joins me, two cruise missiles together, not good for him or me!

On a narrow path Sonny is in a 'sit' with the same two brown collies and continuing to be really good. A toddler walking approaches, I am tense, but immediately Sally asks the mum if the child will be likely to reach out to Sonny. The mum can see he is wearing a muzzle and she is calm. I feel less nervous knowing that I do not have to take this child into account as well as the other dogs which would be too much for me at this stage. This is the moment when I am at my most nervous and I am struggling to focus on the dog without anticipating possible disaster scenarios. The child passes without incident and Sonny is continuing to get treats from me for his good behaviour. I concentrate on keeping my voice calm, I listen to my tone as Sally tells me it tends to go up when I am getting more stressed and Sonny reacts to this. I physically drop my voice to compensate, at the risk of sounding like Margaret Thatcher on a bad day (sorry Mags), it's better than becoming shrill.

As a finale we approach the local car boot which is in full swing. We stick to the outer edges meeting cars, people, other dogs old and young. In each case Sonny manages it and is at times showing interest in things around like the messages left by other dogs and looking at the scene. This is what real dogs do and it is great to see Sonny being a real dog rather than a scared boy. Finally we see a very young German Shepherd pup. The pup appears to be quite interested and so I instinctively arc around him again. Sally says this is really good and that Sonny has done really well today and I have done well at controlling him. Well done Sonny. Ideally we need to be doing this exercise once a week, work commitments and bank balance permitting, I am going to aim for that although on occasions it may be two weekly. However we agree that once a month would not give him enough practise and as every week goes by his confidence and body language improve.

Keep you posted

*for more information on dog body language and ways that dogs try to avoid conflict google Turid Rugaas

OMG it's exposure time!!!

The issue of exposing Sonny to further doggy/people/general life experiences continue. After our initial visit to a local beauty spot, the lesson continued the following week. This time I the nervous one was in the driving seat. This is major, I am tending to avoid taking the boy out at present because I am not confident about handling his dog to dog (or anything he doesn't like) aggression on my own. It is difficult to say what exactly I am so scared of, OK he has got out of his lead in the past but a new lead and collar have been bought and neither looks likely to fail at a critical moment. I used to be scared of dogs when I was young, am I scared of dogs myself and so have transferred this to Sonny? Am I just worried about Sonny upsetting and scaring other people, particularly children? Definitely and do I fear that, despite him being muzzled and on a lead I may get prosecuted for having a dangerous dog, possibly. Sally reassures me that whilst I am working with her, there is nothing to fear. She is used to speaking to third parties who feel concerned about a dog's behaviour that she is working with. Also, she tells me, the police have better things to do than to respond to concerns about a dog unless they are clearly out of control and the owner is not dealing with it. There is no doubt that we are doing our absolute best to deal with it, but somehow in the heat of the moment when he is kicking off, it doesn't feel like enough. Sonny, as I am learning, is as closely attuned to me as if he were part of me, he knows how I smell when I am scared and acts to protect me by seeing off the adversary. If I am comfortable, relaxed and talking, not focussed on what he is doing, he is happy, tail waggy and more if not totally relaxed, he may look interested in something or, someone but will not react.

Lesson 2, involved passing a whole gaggle of geese. This would intimidate some people but as I am deep in conversation with the trainer I am less concerned than I might otherwise be. He reacts brilliantly apart from right at the end when a goose comes that bit too close and he takes a dive at it. This, says Sally is not a bad thing, after all she can't imagine that many dogs would be able to ignore that one. Later we move off to a town setting and a take a walk, almost immediately we come across a crowd of young people. Immediately I am telling them to move aside so that they walk on my side and not with the dog. Sally tells me she would not have done this as it is likely to raise his anxiety and I sounded anxious when I was speaking to them. This is just SO HARD when your brain is hardwired to protect your animal for various indiscretions you are all the time looking for hazards and trying to pre-empt them. Now I am learning that to do that in fact sets him up to react, rather than stops him from doing it. A classic reinforcement of a vicious circle. Where did it all go wrong? Sally tells me that a lot of his experiences have come from his time with his previous owner, she despite wanting to do the best for him, inadvertently reinforced all his anxiety and lack of confidence. Secondly, when he first started to show anxiety around other dogs I had him castrated, she would have advised me to hold back as the testosterone would have given him that last little bit of confidence which unfortunately the act of castration took away. I have to admit to be anxious anyway at times, but prior to having Sonny we had another dog who was fine and socialised well, so maybe I shouldn't blame myself. But it's hard not to...

We sit on a bench and continue to chat. Passing us are a variety of walkers all arriving or going home. One particular commuter walks that bit too close. In my mind I see Sonny lunging at this person and scaring them, I can feel my anxiety going up. I try desperately to think of anything, count backwards, whatever it takes to refocus myself on positive thoughts. I even tried imagining other dogs as something benign like a mushroom, mmmm, not sure how successful that was. Other suggestions are having your Ipod playing something your brain has to work on like learning a language, however only in one ear so that you can still be aware of what is going on around you and so I guess I can still talk to the dog, only to withdraw this 'prize' if he reacts badly. Today Sonny is much better with the trainer and beginning to look to Sally for direction in situations, yep he knows I'm not up to the job of leading him yet, but I'm working on it Sonny, I'm really working on it....

Useful website

Recently found this website which is quite informative: http://www.i-love-dogs.com

Ducks, dogs and dappy owners

This week we have had another training session with Sally. This time she suggested we took Sonny to a local beauty spot where we were guaranteed to meet other four leggeds and she could see him in action.

It has to be said that despite many a previous trainer, NONE has ever offered to do this with us. The first thing she notices is that, as we know, his body language is completely different when he is outside the home. He is not of course the only one. I as his erstwhile owner am feeling like a coiled spring. I am in the midst of all the things I know he can react to and which I studiously try therefore to avoid. Other dogs, oh no, small children, oh dear, no, no and narrow paths where you can't avoid whatever approaches you, no, no, no. However Sally is confident (fortunate). I allow my partner to take the lead, because it will not help Sonny for his fearful owner to be guiding him at this point.

We go for a brief walk around the lake. I am busting for the loo (probably nerves), as I return I am instructed not to make eye contact with Sonny. If he is tracking situations and looking fearful, it is important not to react, otherwise I am 'following his lead'. This is not of course a good thing for a fearful dog.

The most useful bit about having the trainer with us is that she can observe all the little things that we can't because we are usually so busy trying to deal with the dog. For instance, she says that he is constantly looking at me. I am not aware of this as I tend to be looking ahead of me otherwise I could end up down a pothole! However what this tells us is that despite my efforts to 'detach' from my beloved dog and try to form a more business like relationship with him, he is not yet fooled. He wants to check me out and is busy watching my body language all the time. This is not healthy.

We stop at a park bench and Sally takes him off for a jaunt on his own, the anxiety in his eyes is palpable and we can see that he spends at least half his time, whilst within eye-shot, looking for us. However after a bit we can't see him and we are left wondering what he is doing and how he is getting on. This is weird as I don't normally give anyone else responsibility for my dog, for obvious reasons. Then she returns, saying that his concern for our whereabouts was actually a helpful thing because he meant he was less sensitive to other dogs coming his way.

She approaches some people with two big white fluffy dogs (Samoi's) asking them if their dogs are reactive. They happen to be feeding their dogs ice cream at the time, but let's gloss over that for the moment. No they say and very kindly agree to allow her to circle the dogs with Sonny. At the same time there is a staffy/pitbull type mix with 'not a clue' owners who have him on a flexi lead. The dog is out in front and definitely in charge, more so because one of the owners appears to be drunk! Maybe not the best example for Sonny to be exposed to right now. However we are able to observe him from a distance as he circles the other white dogs with Sally. One of the dogs seems quite interested but is very unreactive to him. She is able to get reasonably close to both dogs. Sonny is muzzled and on lead. No reaction. She returns.

We do one more circuit of the lake, this time I am advised that we can use Sonny's fixation with me to our advantage. If he reacts badly to anything and lunges, then I am to walk off immediately. This reinforces to him that he will 'lose me' if he behaves badly. Interesting, I think I am getting this woman's drift.

We try it. The white fluffies are approaching, we tell him to sit, I am standing with Sally. He lunges, immediately I walk off. This I am told was great, good timing on my part and Sonny was definitely perturbed that I disappeared. However, this is probably only a device that we can use temporarily.

Another thing she has noticed is that he is very tuned into my voice. So whilst on the other side of the lake I sneezed. He recognised me immediately and made haste to get to where he thought it was coming from. SO.. when I take him out
what I need to do is to talk to him a lot, telling him he is a good boy when he is showing the more relaxed chilled out body language. This reinforces to him that this is the emotion we want to see from him and that good thing will happen if he displays this behaviour to me. However, if he reacts to another dog or person, then I am to keep silent. This will let him know again that he 'loses' me if he displays the unwanted behaviour.

Finally, and I have not really yet got my head round this one. She feels that his behaviour is purely fear based and reactive. Because he has not displayed this behaviour with her, she feels HE CAN BE CURED!!!! Will I ever be able to let him off the lead again? Yes, she thinks so. This is all too much for me and I am about to blub very loudly in a public place, quietly I hold the tears back. The idea of Sonny running free and happy, his ears blowing in the wind is almost too much to bear to hope for. However, I think it's me as much as the dog that is going to need to work as I have had so many horrible experiences that I may need serious Valium and alcohol before I can chill out a bit.

Doggy day

This weekend we attended a local dog event. It was lovely to see so many happy and healthy dogs enjoying various activities. We watched a fascinating display of gun dogs learning to retrieve items from the water. We also saw an agility section and how much it had helped dogs with problems to gain more confidence. Agility is something we need to get sorted for the boy. Our trainer has recommended we buy a set of equipment for the garden and so that he can practice. Collies are highly intelligent animals, keeping up with their need for mental stimulation is something of a challenge.

This week we have had more trouble with Sonny keeping him focussed outside, I managed to bump into our trainer yesterday who was at the show and she said they are good at learning and so you have to keep ahead, giving them new challenges all the time. However, we had a better time after some backgarden training yesterday and I took out a calmer and much more focussed boy than had been visible a few days before. It was lovely to see his ears back and a calmer expression.

We also noticed a lot of beautifully calm dogs at the show, no doubt most owners would not take their beloved hounds to such an event if they were in any way a management problem. However, a notable number of owners were allowing their dogs to walk in front of them which is an absolute no no if you are trying to establish leadership over your dog. It seems that some dogs do not present much of a problem even if they have a tendency to dominance, or are their owners just spending lots of money on chiropracters to deal with damaged arms and shoulders?

The peanut incident

Well, it's been an interesting week. Last weekend unusually we had some visitors which was as you know quite unusual. Because we were going to be busy with them we elected to put the dogs in the garage for the duration of the party. It felt much safer as we were going to be preoccupied and with more than one guest it would have been a lot harder to keep an eye on the boy to ensure he was not being his intimidating self. Muzzle notwithstanding it is a lot to ask of a guest to 'not show fear' when they have a dog bearing down on them with a volley of scarey barking.

So... taking the advice of our trainer we put the dogs in the garage with kongs filled with luxury cashew and peanut butter(OK she said peanut butter but it's near enough). Thanks very much! The party ensues. Later the empty kongs tell us that the dogs have enjoyed the coveted snack. However I am dimly aware of a certain 'aroma' in the garage.... During the night a moment of insomnia leads me to the kitchen for a bowl of cereal. I wander, half conscious, across the kitchen where the dogs sleep. All of a sudden I am in the middle of a rather soggy and unpleasant sensation. Yes, you've guessed it the peanut butter has come back to greet me, however it's now all over the kitchen floor in a rather less pleasant form and has now wedged itself between my toes. Yuck! I'm definitely awake now, thanks dogs. I'd rather not have to wash my feet and the kitchen floor at 3am... No idea which one of you is the culprit. However, really couldn't care now so check in the morning.

The next day it is clear that Sonny is the one with the problem and this tummy disturbance sees a reverting to his previously rather hyperactive and jumpy behaviour whenever we return from time out of the house. He goes through this display of leaping and cavorting as soon as he lays eyes on either one of us. It is so hard to tell if this is just acting up or if in his own way he is desperate to avoid another kitchen floor moment which he knows shouldn't really happen.

Another aspect has been that my partner and myself have both been working extremely hard and doing a lot of hours. We feel exhausted a lot of the time so we are finding the extra training involved really tough right now. Sonny seems less responsive, maybe the two things are linked?

I will let you know, memo to self, must check garage......

Multiple Muts

It's sometimes harder than others to focus Sonny. I am beginning to realise just how overactive his brain is (and that's on medication). Whilst I can sometimes get him to focus well on the training exercises, when he is outside in the big bad world it's a different story to the safety of our back garden.

In many ways keeping his interest is a bit like trying to manage a hyperactive child. He can maintain attention for a nano second, but then suddenly he returns to his 'tracking' behaviour on red alert for anything that might be coming in his vicinity.

This week has been no exception. I thought I was doing rather well yesterday as we passed a young staffy pup, a well known adversary. Fortunately the owner is extremely hot on keeping him under control, he is interested in Sonny and a bit overexcited but I doubt his intentions are honourable as Sonny as previously 'sworn' at him on a number of occasions. No doubt he would love to have a go but his sensible owner makes him sit. This is the testing time when I have to remember not to get anxious (but feeling very) and keep a 'relaxed lead'. I do so and distract myself with saying good morning and telling her we are on a training programme. I think this is to make myself feel better for having such an embarrassing dog! This works reasonably well and we pass without any of his normal display. Just a bit of heavy breathing and an anxious backward glance.

Flushed with success we move onto Colin the collie. He is alert and ready to pounce, unfortunately our sighting of him coincides with me having to stop to avoid a passing car. This is all too much for Sonny and Colin, they both have a good go at barking and growling and Colin's owner gives me the 'not you again' look which makes me feel so welcome in the locality. You can't blame the guy I bet he was having a nice peaceful life before we came along! Straight after that it is 2 eager jack russells, both clearly not a bit interested in their owner and giving Sonny full eye contact. Really, two dogs bearing down on the poor lad is too much him and a snarling heap soon emerges. One rather demoralised owner returning to home.

I am told the issue of meeting other dogs is a biggy and will be a whole chapter of work on its own. We are to practice with our other dog Holly learning to pass eachother and say hello. Then getting the dogs to sit opposite eachother at either end. Sonny is so good and willing to look at me, if I could get this sort of reaction when we meet a stranger dog we would be really getting somewhere.

Keep you posted

Phil the pheasant returns

Still smarting from my earlier 'pheasant' incident. I am throwing a ball for Sonny in the garden, I am puzzled when rather than chase said ball, there is a lot of rushing about, followed by the rise of a large male pheasant from behind the garden table. I don't know who is more surprised, Sonny or me. Oh God, I think, this pheasant is toast! But no, the boy surprises me again and despite having always given the impression he was ready with a 'death roll' for any unfortunate bird that crossed his path, he seems excited but not aggressive and the pheasant lives to die another day!

The obedience part of our programme seems to be going well. The trainer suggests that whilst on walks we use psychological exercises such as sit, stay, wait etc. The aim is to make Sonny realise he has to look to us for direction. In the past we have used these exercises to try and calm him down, but we have never seen any effect. Today he is definitely less agitated and seems calmer after the exercises. The difference of him walking by your side when he is calm and when agitated is palpable. Usually he is urging to go ahead, although never actually pulling, this becomes wearing after a while. This is a real difference to training we have used in the past. Maybe it's the combination of medication, behaviour and myself learning to detach and be more aloof from my beloved boy that is making a difference. we will wait and see.

A few moments of a relaxed boy

The last post would not allow me to put on extra pics so am adding them now. It is great to see your anxious dog lying out and this is what we saw when our visitor was here. Believe me, this is a first!