I probably bore everyone with my Amber updates but today was kind of cool so I thought I'd share. I decided to take her with me to the barn stopped to get gas, went inside to pay and when I came out a truck with a big lab in the bed was parked next to me, Amber was of course barking her fool head off, the lab of course was barking right back. I pointed my finger at Amber and said NO! She stopped immediately! The lab stopped, and although he was in clear view of her, she sat and watched me pump gas, then turned on her own to watch a semi truck. She only needed to be asked once! After the barn and errands I stopped at a store, car pulls up with small yapping dog and all I had to say was NO! and it was like a switch turned off in her... So cool! the car stuff has been one of the hardest challenges with her.
On to the rant, brought her to one of the conservation areas, I used to go to this one a lot, she was leashed, we just enter the trails and a huge black beast comes pellmell at us, I tell that dog no to stop it coming any closer, he doesn't stop, has his hackles up, I say no more firmly as I'm getting Amber and me off the path into the puckerbrush. Owners saying he's friendly, just wants to sniff noses, all the while with hackles up. Owner finally caught him, put his collar and leash on and left. Amber was worked up, so I dis some BAT with her with a dog far off in a field, got her relaxed and listening, met two other dogs, get almost to the end of our walk and another dog comes barreling out of the underbrush. I told it to stay away but this one obviously was just into playing, owner called, beautiful recall! I think Amber would have been fine sniffing noses with this one but because I only think, requested distance. We had some challenging encounters and survived. Dogs running towards her seems particularly challenging, I can understand why, but we need more work there. Seven dogs today.

That is awesome, Jodi! I never get tired of hearing Amber stories...I've got a challenging dog too and I know how hard we work for success

AWESOME! Jodi the Jedi...the Force is strong in you.
I wish my neighbour's untrained horde would listen to me like that. But for now I check to see if their dogs are out before I take my dogs out.

"odi the Jedi...the Force is strong in you."


Yes!

Success posts are the best!

Excellent progress!

I too enjoy hearing stories of your progress. I've also got a challenging dog, though in slightly different ways. Isn't it a nice feeling to see a positive result from all your hard work!

Thanks everyone, it makes my day when we have success! I do have a question to tie in, Amber is improving in all ways in the car when seeing other dogs and I've realized my body language and tone are different because she is relatively safe in the car, I don't have to worry about other dogs attacking. So... my body language on the trail is different, I'm part focused on her, part focused on the other dog, part focused on our exit plan, keeping Amber at my side etc, HOW should I work on my own body language? If she's not over threshold its much easier to be confident and relaxed, but I know it is just as important, if not more so when she's over threshold.

"Confident and relaxed" is no different for you then it is for the dog. You build up to it with positive experiences.
My wife started taking Yoga and doesn't hit me near as hard since she learned to relax. JKN of course but not about the first part.

Nice job! The great thing is that success tends to build on itself. I think a big part of this is the fact that YOU become more calm and cofident with each success.