Progress

This past weekend was great! Not because we competed or won any titles. But because I had the opportunity to see just how far Sophie has come from the 13 month old terror on leash.

When we first joined flyball, we had been dealing with her leash reactivity for a few months. We quickly learned that having her enter the lanes as a dog exited was not going to work. Since I was restraining her as the dog ran at her she would get worked up and lunge/snarl instead of running into the lanes. She had no problem exiting the lane as a dog entered because she was focused on her task and not restrained.

Now three seasons later, I have such a different Sophie. We had a demo this weekend and we always use this particular demo (since it runs all day) as a chance to train green dogs and work on drills with our solid dogs. We worked on passing drills with one of our solid dogs and Sophie. Sophie did amazing! We started 35 feet back as usual and as Max went over the first jump back, I let go. She went straight on, opened up a little to let him pass and then right back into position. No glancing, lunging or even interest.

She spent most of the day laying in the grass next to my chair when she wasn't crated. Tons of people walked by, tons of dogs and she didn't care. She would look to me and sometimes get treats for her attention otherwise a quick good girl. Then she would go back to napping.

I could not have asked for a better day. Nor could I be more proud of all the work we have done and how far we have come.

Somone is going to be 4 soon!

Sophie is not a fan of this diet. While she loves her green beans, she insists she is being underfed. She therefore has taken to staring at you while you eat. Silly pup. Weigh in is next week. Here is hoping we get some results!

We are signed up for our first agility trial in 3 weeks. CPE Standard Level 1 and Jumpers Level 1. Excited and nervous!

Obedience classes have started again. We moved up a level which is challenging for us. It is no longer a night time class which means I don't have to worry about shadows and unexpected people freaking Sophie out but it also means more noise/distractions. The class ranges in level, us on one end of the spectrum (i.e. never competing) all the way to those who have gained their CD and higher. It is inspiring to see some of these dogs working off leash so in tune with their owners. Hoping we get to that level someday. And enjoying the adventure in the meantime.

I am very proud of her progress. We may not have a title (yet) but 2 years ago, I didn't think we would ever get to the point that I could place her in a down stay (secured to a gazebo) and help a classmate with stand for exam. All while lots of dogs were nearby (not close to her but well within view). She calmly looked around. Barked once her displeasure at being left but other than she was fine. Progress which means the world to me! Granted she still has her moments but I really didn't think we would get to this point when her leash reactivity first started.

Unfortunately we did not complete week 4 of K9 Kamp :-\ And are way behind in the 12 week photo course. Hoping to catch up this weekend.

Ohh and Miss Sophie will be celebrating her 4th birthday soon. Suggestions on good doggy gifts?

You get the dog you were meant to get

Spent yesterday afternoon hiking. Sophie was exhausted by the end, which lasted all of 30mins once she got home.I took pictures on my phone but when I went to upload them, they were not there. Next time!

I had a friend visit us this weekend. Sophie was a wonderful hostess, showing off her toys and tricks in return for some belly rubs. My friend could not stop gushing over how wonderful my rhino is. I know she is great, but then again I am a little biased. My friend's praise really made me take a step back and recollect how much life has changed over the last 3+ years. For the better.

I was 25, when I adopted Sophie. Finishing up my 3rd year of law school. I was somewhat shy (still am but to a much lesser degree). We took classes together, we survived me studying for the bar and unemployment afterward. She was one sickly puppy. At one point the stomach issues were so non stop and reoccuring, the vet considered exploratory surgery. My life went from one of studying and socializing to chasing a puppy around the apt so she wouldn't pee. To taking my pup to the vet non stop. I became an advocate for my dog. I learned to speak up for Sophie and myself. I did so much research, emailed people I had never met to ask for advice and help. Looked for alternatives in medicine/training etc that would help Sophie.

It was an eye opening experience. I would not trade Sophie (issues and all) for anything in the world. She is my heart dog and just what I needed to really grow up. On the forum I frequent, whenever a rescue or breeder placing does not work out, people respond with "the dog that is meant for you will find you. You get the dog you are meant to get"  I firmly believe that is true and I am so grateful for Miss Sophie's presence in my life.

Why having a strong sit stay or barrier at the door is a must!

Sophie and I went out for a walk on Friday. It was good training walk, we passed dogs and worked on LAT. Sophie did great. Lots of progress!

Then we round the corner to walk up our street when I hear a jingle. By the time I looked up to see what the jingle was there is a dog charging at us full speed from the house to our left. The dog is barking and flying at us. I pushed Sophie behind me, who immediately tensed. And I screamed NO (really I had no clue what to do and it was all happening fast). The dog swooped around me and went for Sophie's back legs.

I am screaming at the owners who are just exiting their house to get their dog. While trying to move Sophie out of the way and walk away which was impossible because this dog kept circling us and cars were going by. Prob about 30-45secs into this dog trying to nip at Sophie, she finally went into defend mode.

I was trying to avoid her reacting but the nipping set her off. She started growling, barking and lunging. At that point I am doing all I can to hold on to the leash and trying to keep the dog away. The owners are frantically running around trying to catch the dog who is evading them at every turn. At one point Sophie turns around to snap at the dog, who was behind her and I end up falling to my knees, hands out. In that moment I thought I was going to lose the leash and my heart skipped a beat. Thankfully I held on and when I hit the ground Sophie moved in front of me and just stood there barking.

The owners finally caught their dog, apologized and insisted their dog is friendly. I am sorry but running up full speed and going straight for my dog's legs with teeth, is not playing! Sophie had a few scratches but no puncture marks. They said they left the door open while unloading something from the car. They said the dog wasn't near the door.

Frustrating to say the least! Especially after all the work we have done with her leash reactivity, I am a little worried about the implications of this event on Sophie. We went for a long walk on Saturday and she was fine. We continued to work LAT like usually and I did my best to stay calm.

So, how do you handle a loose dog charging at you and your dog?

A little reminder that we have lots of work

Our obedience class started up again last week after a few month hiatus. I switched us to a Monday evening class because Saturdays are already full with agility and flyball.

First class was a bit of a mess. Sophie was tired from a flyball tournament weekend and not really in the mood to heel. She kept offering a down and wanting to eat grass. I left class early since she was so obviously tired.

Fast forward to yesterday. We got to class early and did some practice heeling. The instructor commented on Sophie's attention. Soph has always watched me very closely. I have always rewarded her attention and now more so as we train for Rally and work on her leash reactiveness.

I told the instructor, we work hard to keep her focused to avoid any reactivity. Especially important at flyball tournaments, lots of noisy barking dogs and high energy levels, I want Sophie to focus on me and relax. The instructor said I was doing a good job as she had not seen Sophie react before (famous last words huh?)

Class went well. We had no reactivity toward other dogs. She was offering to find the dog and then look to me for her reward. She had good attention, heeling, turns, stays etc. She even managed to stay in her stand position which has been hard for her.

Of course by now it is 8:20ish and dark. Another instructor approached the class, Sophie gets nervous when she can't see well and shadows definitely set her off. Well, instructor moving out of the shadows definitely set off my pup last night. Lots of barking and raised hackles.

I should have noticed it and moved her away but I froze. I am so used to working with her around dogs and keeping her focused that I forgot other things make her react. The instructor told me to walk her away and calm her down.

I let myself get frazzled/tense and I know she picks up on that.  It occurred one more time when another person approached in the dark (someone else approached from near the streetlight and she was not fazed. It is just someone appearing out of the dark).

I am so proud of the progress she has made being around dogs when she is leashed. I guess I just needed last night to remind me that we still have work ahead of us. I also need to be faster to react and move her away when she reacts. It is all a learning process for both of us.

Leash reactive or why Sophie used to lunge on leash

I am a member of a Lab board forum and a recent post about leash re-activeness got me thinking about Sophie. The poster was worried that her 2 year old, soon to be certified therapy dog was having some problems on leash. It brought me back to the day when it first became apparent Sophie was leash reactive. Off leash she was a dream, great social skills and your typical happy go luck lab. On leash she was Cujo.

At 13 months, at the end of a class, one of her usual playmates came up to her, both dogs on leash and Sophie lunged at him while growling. I immediately pulled her back and the Golden’s owner walked him away. I was stunned. What happened?


 To say I was horrified was putting it mildly. I had socialized Sophie like crazy since we got her from the shelter at 8ish weeks. She went to puppy socials, puppy preschool, obedience classes. Later on she went to daycare and the dog park. She did great off leash  and I had not had a problem with her before. Then out of seemingly nowhere I had a barking, lunging, upset dog at the end of the leash.

It was like a switch went off from one day to the next and Sophie just lost it when on leash. She was still her normal, playful self when she was off leash. Her daycare saw no change in her personality. I was nervous to take her out on leash which just made her more anxious.

I became that owner you look at and shake your head at because they can't control their dog. We became the dog and owner, you crossed the street to avoid.

I was scared and embarrassed. I saw my plans for dog sports, obedience titles, fun trips and hanging out at coffee shops with my canine pal go out the window.

And so began our long and at times frustrating journey to teach Sophie to relax on leash, to not fear other dogs and to focus (more on that later).

We have made great progress and I look forward to writing about our progress in a later post. But I just wanted to get this out there, for others like the poster on the lab board. You can work with your dog and get a handle on the situation. Leash reactiveness does not have to be the end of all your plans/goals/activities!