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..