Update on Winter
I had a blast today. I simply love working with the animals I am privileged enough to know. I have two dogs who are my special projects. I got to work with Winter for the past two days, and he reminds me so much of another shy dog named Copper, I am convinced his home is right around the corner. 
Unfortunately, many of my friends who specialize in extremely shy and unsocialized dogs aren't around, so the task is all on me. I am up for it though, because this is one special dog.
Yesterday began much like the other days. He is anxious to get outside and potty, and then the brakes go on. He is now comfortable walking through the gate and even around the cars. He actually trotted a small distance with me down the driveway to the end. Then the brakes went on. With some coaxing, we made it all the way to Clark Road. That was a big step so I decided to try one more. I pulled on his leash as he was sitting on the corner at the stop sign and in a high, happy voice said, "Come on Winter, we are going to cross Clark Road."
He wasn't too keen on it, but he ran across Clark Road to the church and then sat. Success! I praised him alot and gave him a treat and we walked in a little circle and then crossed back.
On the way back we walked on the opposite side of the road and waved as cars went by. Winter did great. Then it was back to Satchel's, a walk around the cars and in the small yard so I could clean his kennel.
After cleaning his kennel, I filled a dispense toy made by Premier with some kibble and we went back inside. He had figured the toy out in minutes and was happily in his crate, searching for dropped kibble.
This morning we did the same route, except when we arrived at the stop sign at Clark Road, we simply turned the corner to walk along the pasture. He was not happy. The brakes went on again and he kept trying to run down in the drainage ditch to hide. With some tugs and a high happy voice again, we made small steps along Clark Road, even with cars buzzing by.
We turned back to go home, and I believe his head was a little higher as I told him what a great dog he was and what a fine job he was doing.
When we arrived by the cars to do our walk around, (he is petrified of cars and car rides) I opened the doors on my truck just to let him see there was nothing to be afraid of. This step I will work into his walk routine until I can get him to actually climb in after a treat.
He is making such progress and I believe we can modify his behavior so he can find a home. I sure could use some expert, shy dog help with him and if Maria or Jay is reading this, please drop me a note and come out to meet him.
So if you are traveling along Clark Road and see a short, chubby lady with a long, lean scaredy-cat dog, beep your horn and let's see if I can get him desensitized to horns.
Unfortunately, many of my friends who specialize in extremely shy and unsocialized dogs aren't around, so the task is all on me. I am up for it though, because this is one special dog.
Yesterday began much like the other days. He is anxious to get outside and potty, and then the brakes go on. He is now comfortable walking through the gate and even around the cars. He actually trotted a small distance with me down the driveway to the end. Then the brakes went on. With some coaxing, we made it all the way to Clark Road. That was a big step so I decided to try one more. I pulled on his leash as he was sitting on the corner at the stop sign and in a high, happy voice said, "Come on Winter, we are going to cross Clark Road."
He wasn't too keen on it, but he ran across Clark Road to the church and then sat. Success! I praised him alot and gave him a treat and we walked in a little circle and then crossed back.
On the way back we walked on the opposite side of the road and waved as cars went by. Winter did great. Then it was back to Satchel's, a walk around the cars and in the small yard so I could clean his kennel.
After cleaning his kennel, I filled a dispense toy made by Premier with some kibble and we went back inside. He had figured the toy out in minutes and was happily in his crate, searching for dropped kibble.
This morning we did the same route, except when we arrived at the stop sign at Clark Road, we simply turned the corner to walk along the pasture. He was not happy. The brakes went on again and he kept trying to run down in the drainage ditch to hide. With some tugs and a high happy voice again, we made small steps along Clark Road, even with cars buzzing by.
We turned back to go home, and I believe his head was a little higher as I told him what a great dog he was and what a fine job he was doing.
When we arrived by the cars to do our walk around, (he is petrified of cars and car rides) I opened the doors on my truck just to let him see there was nothing to be afraid of. This step I will work into his walk routine until I can get him to actually climb in after a treat.
He is making such progress and I believe we can modify his behavior so he can find a home. I sure could use some expert, shy dog help with him and if Maria or Jay is reading this, please drop me a note and come out to meet him.
So if you are traveling along Clark Road and see a short, chubby lady with a long, lean scaredy-cat dog, beep your horn and let's see if I can get him desensitized to horns.
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