Blue is now enjoying the freedom that comes with a remote collar. He is having off-leash play time and walks. His obedience work is still using a 10’ leash because he gets overwhelmed and needs guidance still. But he is making strong progress and is enjoying the work.
Funny enough the hardest thing for him has been Placemat! Easily the simplest command I teach, to keep two paws on his bed, it stresses him right out. He will stand frozen on his mat or pant and tremble to release some stress. He is very used to acting like Velcro to his people and so he is learning that he can’t be in their laps all the time. Forcing them to touch him has been how he deals with anxiety and so now that I am not letting him do that he is stressed about being made to stay on his bed. He does it, it just upsets him. But with practice and some good snacks while he does it he will start realizing that it isn’t the end of the world and in fact his rug is actually kind of comfy!
Blue is a bit of a drama queen but the most important thing remains to be not praising his stress. Once I see him relax on his mat I will go sit with him and give him some love. That way he will learn that it is calm, collected behavior that gets him the affection he wants so badly.
Funny enough the hardest thing for him has been Placemat! Easily the simplest command I teach, to keep two paws on his bed, it stresses him right out. He will stand frozen on his mat or pant and tremble to release some stress. He is very used to acting like Velcro to his people and so he is learning that he can’t be in their laps all the time. Forcing them to touch him has been how he deals with anxiety and so now that I am not letting him do that he is stressed about being made to stay on his bed. He does it, it just upsets him. But with practice and some good snacks while he does it he will start realizing that it isn’t the end of the world and in fact his rug is actually kind of comfy!
Blue is a bit of a drama queen but the most important thing remains to be not praising his stress. Once I see him relax on his mat I will go sit with him and give him some love. That way he will learn that it is calm, collected behavior that gets him the affection he wants so badly.
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