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....