okay, this is such a little thing, but i am SO excited.

teagan is looking out the window, and a dog that she doesn't like (i know, take a number) walked past and she did not bark, snarl, growl, run around in circles and launch herself at the window, she didn't stand up against the window....

all she did was breathe a bit heavier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good for you and Teagan

Congratulations to you and Teagan! Definitely know the challenge you have been working with.

thanks....she did get a little snotty when another dog walked past later tonight, but still....we're making progress. and she calms down quicker now than when she used to get really angry. bit by bit!

Agree so much with the bit by bit!!!!

Sasha got rushed by 2 little dogs tonight. Was OK walking by, but went into defensive mode when they rushed her. One of them got a slight kick by me. One was even nipping at her legs. Felt so bad holding her head up since she is on a prong. If I didn't, there would have been some serious damage. Can't really blame her.

We walked a yard down to compose ourselves. Surprising, she settled down almost immediately. While I was checking her over, the owner of the dogs came over and was apologizing over and over. As he was approaching, she let out a growl, I told her to sit, stay and she did and didn't growl or hackle when I was talking to him. While it should have never happened, I'm really proud of her that she actually calmed down quicker than I did. As you said...bit by bit!

Congratulations again on all of your hard work with Teagan. It's great to see it actually pay off!

That's great! You too with Sasha! You should be very proud of both of you.

I have to admit, I mentioned elsewhere my neighbour brought her dog up onto my lawn to say hi to Teagan after I said 'she's not friendly' (maybe she misheard). While Teagan had been sitting next to me when the dog was on the sidewalk, when it came onto our lawn she....well, we still need to work on that. Despite the fact I ended up with her snarling between my legs, my neighbour was clueless and I had to say 'my dog will attack yours, please take it off my lawn'. I was worried that sort of thing - sort of an opportunity for aggression - might set Teagan back a bit, as it might reinforce for her that other dogs=time to get mad, but it doesn't seem to have.

I'm also happy b/c when we're outside, my presence and watchfulness really do play a role in her behaviour - when this happened, I was over on the couch - I wouldn't have even known that dog was going by if I hadn't looked up to see why she was breathing heavy. And that is a first for us

That is fantastic about the progress you've made. Been watching your threads and it really great the progress you've made. I'm sure it hasn't been easy, but it really rewarding. These guys do take work...and I realize now so did I. It is great to see progress.

This hasn't been the first time we had issues with dogs. Usually walk her when it is dark and people and dogs are in. Just safer for her. Still amazes me how quick she rebounded. I really do think it is a "personal space" issue with other dogs. People are really a non issue now. She has really done well. Same with loud noises and cars that never were really an issue. Still keep my distance with people just to be safe, but want to start "proofing" her to see how she does with someone closer in a non-threatening environment. Just need to find someone. May take her up to the library where there is alot of people traffic.

This board is really great! Have learned sooo much and still learning.

Big congrats Jennifer!! I love following your progress with Luc and Teagan both - they each came to you with very different "issues", but you've managed to really educate yourself and customize your training so that BOTH dogs have had a chance to come a million miles from where they started out... that's hugely admirable, and you should be very proud (obviously, you are, hence the post ) but big kudos from me!!

In addition to it feeling good for you, I'll bet Teagan actually has a whole lot less stress under your guidance - she now has a pack leader to tell her that it's OK to back down, and that's a load off for most dogs. As Caesar says, all but a very few canines are happiest when they're allowed to be followers - they only take the lead and try to run our lives when there is an obvious lack of leadership. Assume the leadership role and your dog will breathe a heavy sigh of relief (maybe THAT'S what you heard when Teagan was watching that dog out the window but not going bonkers??! ).

Great work Jennifer - you set a wonderful example.

~Natalya

thanks things seem to come in waves with her, in terms of making improvement. but i really feel like things are starting to click more quickly for her. she must be less stressed. a few times i let her (inside) get upset without stepping in, to see just how angry she got, and all i could think was it must be stressful to be that angry, and to be that angry whenever another dog walked past.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

thanks all i could think was it must be stressful to be that angry, and to be that angry whenever another dog walked past.

I think that is a great observation and it makes sense. So now that she has exhibited some restraint when looking out the window, will you try to incorporate some positive reinforcement into the picture? Maybe just marking and rewarding when she stays calm at the window.

Who knows, maybe she'll get to the point that she likes to see dogs walk by the window.