A new Member of the Family

[Plantaholic]

I expect Eva is saying "turn that thing off"

[Daisy]

Gem - that dog is one in a million! Thank goodness he didn't eat the whole pack. I'm not sure if there is actual chocolate in bourbon biscuits - but the theobromine in chocolate is toxic to dogs.

Plant - she certainly knows how to get my attention.

[Gemini]

Daisy, there were only the 2 bisciuts left out, as my friend had got them out for the dog, but forgotten about them. I know about dogs and chocolate, hopefully bourbon biscuits don't contain any!!

[Daisy]

I've checked now, Gem - there's reduced fat cocoa powder in them, but I would imagine now enough to kill a dog that's big enough to get them off a table or work surface!

[Gemini]

I've not met this dog, but I know he is big! Also, perhaps I should check with my friend when I next see her, as she may have said custard creams LOL.

[Plantaholic]

I don't think it is a good idea to feed dogs that many biscuits, they get too fat,

[Gemini]

You are probably right Plant! My friends sister only brings the dog round once in a while, so it's an occasional treat.

[Daisy]

I thought it was time I updated Eva's school report!

The las t2 training classes before Christmas she was great. In the 'one-to-one' she learned to jump over a series of little hurdles (the run up to flyball, but without having to jump on the box at the end). She got it in 5 minutes - and the trainer said she's never had a dog do that before, it can take weeks. In the last lesson we played a game with lots of toys - she gets a treat when she touches the one i'm looking at (no instructions, just looking at me) - and she got it right every time.

Comparing how she was last Christmas with hordes of visitors and how she was this year highlighted for us how much progress she's made. She was fine last year, but very watchful, but this year she was so relaxed and enjoyed all the attention she got. She also discovered wrapping paper and became a very efficient shredder!

We're still taking her to our friends' paddock several times a week and a couple of days ago she walked the whole length staying close to us, but off the lead. That felt like a big step forward.


So today we arrived at training class, knowing there was going to be a new dog (and owner) in the group. Eva was right back there at Day 1!! Eyeballing the new dog, tense, slightly panicky, finding it hard to do what she was doing perfectly before. I was glad OH was doing the heel work, but she was so unsettled that when the other dogs were walking round her, I had to go and stand the other side of her so she was like the jam in a sandwich, to try and reassure her.

Then when we got to the one-to-one (no other dogs in the room - just their owners) it took her about 10 minutes to settle down to do the very basic 'follow me and sit for a treat' exercise we started with several months ago! Talk about 'first day back at school'!

But it's a good reminder for us that progress isn't always a straight line. Eva certainly proved that today! For various reasons it's going to be 3 weeks before we see the new dog again, so it will be interesting to see how she responds.

[Plantaholic]

What a shame Daisy, perhaps it will not be too long before Eva is making progress agains

[Daisy]

Plant - I'm sure you're right. It's a bit like children - they 'learn' something, then seem to forget it again for a while. OH was quite upset, thinking she has gone backwards, but for me it just shows that progress can be very fragile and uncertain. Onward and, hopefully, upward.

[Clover]

The "knowledge" is still in her brain Daisy but it's just been pushed to the back for a while. I think it's difficult to "unlearn" behaviour so I'm sure Eva will catch up again. I can understand your OH being a bit dispirited. As you say it"ll be interesting to see how Eva gets on without the unfamiliar dog in attendance.Thanks for the update. I think you both deserve a medal for your dedication and persistence.The changed behaviour at Christmas is proof of her progress.

[Daisy]

Clover - thank you so much for the encouragement. She's a very clever doggy and I'm sure everything will come back to her when she's less confronted by the new dog. But it just shows that the underlying problem is still there - and we don't know what causes it and probably will never know. All we can do is try to get to a stage where she can relax around other dogs. But she's is so rewarding - she's the most affectionate dog we've ever had. I got back from lunch out this afternoon and I sat on the sofa to tell OH about it. Eva climbed up beside me, and nestled her head under my chin, and snuggled in really close. If I had stayed there she would have gone to sleep!

OH has never been involved with dog training before, so he expects progress every week! He's learning that doesn't happen.

[Nana]

Where would we be without our loyal furry friends? Ours sensed I was unwell yesterday & insisted sitting on my lap for most of the day. I'm pleased Eva is taking training slowly but surely. She sounds a great companion.

[Daisy]

Oh, Nana - what a lovely furry friend you have. I think they do sense when you're feeling poorly, or fed up or a bit down in the dumps. I hope you're feeling a bit better today, though. xx

[Gemini]

Daisy, I'm sure Eva will soon get the hang of things and regain her condfidence