[eak0429]

Well as some of you know Megga and I have had our ups and downs through the months I've had her. After having to work to get her not afraid of stuff we are starting to see some real progress. Today I took her to the dog park to play some fetch since I don't have a fenced in yard. Like always during the day on a monday it was pretty empty. There was a little 3 month old puppy there who was extremely cute. So Megga nicely met her and played with her a bit . Of course with it being just a baby, and one that hasn't really seen big dogs she was a bit afraid and not sure she wanted to play. So I started some fetch with Megga. So we do that, and the puppy's owners joined in. Of course they try to pet her so I inform them that she typically doesn't let anyone else pet her, but much to my surprise she allows them to, and even goes towards them a bit to be petted more. By the park there are walking paths, and a little path to go down to the river. For the last few days I've been working with Megga to get her used to going in the water, and since she was hot she went right in with me going across on rocks. The puppy came with us and was just as cute as can be in the water and tried to get Megga to play with her a bit, but Megga was distracted by putting her nose in the water. Well after this and a bit more fetch we went over to Pet Smart to get a few things. Now Megga used to be afraid and at Petco one time barked at a worker who tried to approach her. She has been letting a few of the workers in Petco pet her, which was great. Well today at Pet Smart she let men (who she is most fearful of) and women, and even children (probably about as fearful of at times) pet her. Two little kids wanted to get to know her, one who was probably 3. The mother asked and was very nice and careful with her children, so I explained how Megga is. Well since Megga was doing well I let her see if she wanted to approach them, and she did for a minute. The mother was very good and made it clear that if the dog backed away for them not to go after her, and they were very good and did what she said. Megga did back a way, but she just sat there and looked at me like "mom I don't think I want to do this anymore." She was tired, and ready to get home by that point so we got our stuff and left. Now she's asleep after being such a good girl!

 

[3K9Mom]

Wow, this sounds like great progress!

Sometimes, all those baby steps really end up getting you somewhere don't they?

And it's always nice when we remember to look back and realize how far we've come.

Congratulations!

 

[eak0429]

Thanks, and you are so right about those baby steps. She still amazes me everyday with how smart she is. She also have figured out how to open her crate, and I mean open and not destroy. I have a plastic one and she opens it. So I've been letting her stay lose in the house while I've been out, and she's done great! We had a couple accidents as sometimes her tummy acts up on her, and I wasn't there to let her out. However, that seems to have passed now as well...so maybe it is anxiety related, with a slight thing of IBS.

 

[Castlemaid]

Always to great to see that kind of improvement! Kudos for you for inspiring confidence in her, and knowing when to back off. Guaranteed to find success!