The summer storms are starting, and with them, new challenges. After Friday night's thunder, Zorro's global fears have re-emerged. It's still not as bad as last year, when he wouldn't venture far from the gate. But this morning, he ran as far as the park, then sat down and refused to go farther. He'll snap out of it if he sees another dog. But it's been raining for two days, so other dogs are thin on the ground.
Although he still fixates on other dogs--he was so focused on a dog near Bon-Air park on Monday that he ran smack into a telephone pole--his behavior around them has improved considerably. When we see another dog, he goes right into his sit and looks to me for a treat. It's tremendously satisfying when other dog owners and runners look on approvingly at my well-behaved dog.
His finest moment came Sunday night. We were approaching the park and a big, white, unleashed dog named Roy came prancing across the bridge. I held my breath and put Zorro into a sit. He obeyed and let Roy pass while his owners reclaimed him. I was very proud.
Should be an interesting day: I'm taking Pam and her rescue dog Silver to see a veterinary behaviorist in Germantown. Resource guarding issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment