Reactive dog class 3 and a half
The half comes first. Due to leaving early and ignoring the ring of the telephone, we went for a drive last week. The call I missed was the one saying class was canceled due to rain. We made the most of it, with a couple of soggy walks along the roadside. This was good, as Amika still got lots of good treats for hanging out with me while a bunch of dogs in kennels barked. Just the sound of other dogs can get her wound up, so this was good.
Tonight we had nice weather, and a class! Amika and I stayed on the outskirts again, and she did very well. We even worked a little closer in for bits of the class. I must confess that she was drugged, but this was an antihistamine for a bull ant bitten toe. I suspect there might have been a bit of dopey-ness with this, but I also think she is figuring this place out. Her attitude was different. Rather than being anxious, she was more just excited. She did react to a shepherd who moves at a fast trot when he came towards us, but the lunge / bark was more of an “Oi, you! What do you think you’re doing?!” than the previous “AIEEEE!!!” reaction. I’m really curious what she will be like next week.
Tonight was especially good considering the week she’s had. She had her first proper exercise at the park this afternoon, which would have helped but other than that I’ve either not been here or not had much time for the dog. I have good excuses (my Dad needed some TLC and hospital time) but all Amika knew was that I was missing for a night and a day, half a day and then didn’t even take her out the day after that when I was home. Can you say BORED?? I mean, there’s only so much back yard kong throwing my partner can do. I’ve gotta love her though, she puts up with us with minimal complaint and hasn’t eaten anything that’s not hers yet. And she’s gotten pretty good at cuddles too.
