Training Thursday - Off track

The past few weeks, we have not been as dedicated to Hailey's training as we should have been. She has been getting lots of exercise and puzzle time, but we haven't been doing as much "relaxing" as we should.

I have not connected with the behaviourist either. I am not as encouraged to call her because I know the conversation will be what it always is, medication. As I have said before, I have no problems/judgment with others who medicate their dogs. It is just at this time, I don't think this is something I want to explore. The reality is that over the winter, Hailey will not be exposed to the "anxiety" provoking situations such as thunder, fireworks and children. Perhaps medication is something we will explore again during "anxious" season in the spring. For now, we will try and get our act together and practice relaxing. We will continue to work on physical and mental exercise and we will do a better job at practicing relax.

Lee - destroying a free toy from Pet Expo

The Behaviourist

Last night was the big night, we drove 1.5 hours in rush hour (1.25 hours not in rush hour) to see the Behaviourist. We had given ourselves a lot of extra time because we were going in rush hour, so Lee had the chance to sniff around a little park before. She enjoyed this. She didn't enjoy being in the clinic as much but because Dr. W gave her lots of treats, she did settle (and periodically check to see if it was time to go home).

Checking out the woods

The issues we hope to address are anxiety over strangers, especially children, and her anxiety over fireworks, thunder etc.

Here is what we learned:

• Hailey is at the age where she can develop separation anxiety (which she doesn't have) or have anxiety get worse.
• It is possible she will never get over her fear of kids
• She should be on leash/gentle lead/in her crate when kids are around to prevent aggression
• Socialization for dogs is most important between the ages of about 3-12 weeks. It is the experiences in this time and her genetics that have resulted in who she is.
• The Man and the Lady experience her anxiety differently and want different solutions (expect we both agree that drugs are the LAST resort. We really don't want to drug her. Please note, this is not a judgement on other people's decision to use drugs. It is our preference with our current experience.)

The things we are doing right that will help:

Checking out the room

• She is well trained 
• We realize she has a problem
• We have given her quiet places to go when she is stressed.
• We use reinforcement procedures and not punishment.

The short term plan:

• As much as possible for the next few weeks we are to avoid situations that make her anxious. [There are some things we just can't control . . . but we will do our best]
• We are going to teach her to "relax" and work on getting her to stay in the relaxed position for increasing lengths of time without anxiety producing stimuli around. 
• We are going to do some research into a gentle lead (Lady likes the idea of this, Man not so much).

Tired out in the car

Last night we got home around 9, and started work on relax. We had done this years ago with her (I had forgotten), so she remembered it. She is going to get it quickly. 

We have a phone follow up next week and one a couple weeks after. 

Do any of you have experience with the gentle lead? Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.