I'm so happy to share with everyone that Phoenix made a new friend! She played so well with this dog and it was awesome to see. They played for 20-30 minutes and even went swimming together. The owners of the dog said he's never actually gone swimming past the point where his toes touch the bottom until that day. He gained some confidence following Phoenix in and she had a great time with him. I hope we see him again one day!
I honestly never thought she'd be able to make new friends. She's never been comfortable with other dogs (other than Zoe and a couple of my close friend's dogs) and for the most part there's only been a few times where she's actually played with a dog she didn't know. This was one of those times.
I also just wanted to tell you that if you're struggling with your reactive dog, that it can get better. You just have to keep trying, keep training and keep being positive. They will have good days and bad days. I know that the bad days can really suck but just try to shake it off and move on.
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams.
Today I'm joining the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop. This month's theme is "Teach Your Pet Something New In Ten Minutes" but any positive related posts are welcome. We did not go with the theme this month, we've been so busy working on the dog-dog stuff that I just have not had time to train any new tricks. :)
Thank you to the hosts: Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier and Rubicon Days!
how awesome for her (and the other dog, too!)
ReplyDeleteI think Phee's new friend counts as teaching your dog something new! And since it was playtime it was a longer training game. :) You are so right that reactivity can get better. I think back to the days when Brychwyn's reactivity was so bad I'd finish a walk sobbing. It seems like so long ago but it's only been two years. And if you met him today you woukd never know what a crazed lunatic corgi he used to be. Now I have a better companion and the perseverance has made me a better trainer. Thanks for joining the hop and for being such a wonderful example of the rewarding world of positive reinforcement training.
ReplyDeleteAw that's fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Hooray for swimming and for new friends!
ReplyDeleteThanks much! I keep reminding myself that Ziva is a constant work in progress and we've accomplished soo much!
ReplyDeleteShe just confuses me sometimes. She's in doggy daycare, she loves her buddies and plays nice with everyone, then we'll take a walk and she'll go crazy on leash at the sight of another dog, then we had a friend come over with their dog and she was a complete brat and kept bossing him around trying to dominate - just being pushy and bitchy really when he was just super mellow/calm/nothing that should have made her act out....but my mom's dog she loves...go figure...
Phoenix can be like that, too! She will sometimes pick on the scaredy-skittish dogs and try to bully them which puzzles me because she's that dog and doesn't like to be bullied. Dogs are so weird sometimes!
DeleteWhat a priceless reward!
ReplyDeleteYay!!!! I'm so happy for you both!
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy story. It seems that you and Phoenix are finding your way!
ReplyDeleteI've learned with Shyla that patience is probably most important. Nothing will be fixed overnight... nothing. And trying to make it happen fast will probably just backfire.
I can tell that you and Phoenix have found that too. Obviously, you've patiently helped her for 2.5 years! Yay!
The answer to any training issue is to be positive and like KB said, be patient! Glad yous are making progress!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Patience is the key to a good dog trainer. Good job.
ReplyDeleteNothing is better than finding a new good friend :)
ReplyDeleteThat's SO amazing for all Zoe and her new friend! Sometimes I think Buster would be fine with certain dogs about his size off leash, but I just don't have access to any that I can try it and not get totally nervous and freaked out around. Maybe one day, after lots more reactivity training, we'll give it a try in tiny increments.
ReplyDeleteGood job! I know how hard it can be and how proud you feel when your efforts pay off.
ReplyDeleteSome days are better than others and those are definitely the days to celebrate. One of our last crazy dog encounters found Delilah calmly standing in the road while I had a serious melt down. I have to get better at taking my cues from her. :-)
Wonderful news, way to go Phoenix!! Your patience and persistence is truly paying off, Phoenix is making lots of progress!
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
It's like the two dogs helped each other! Thank you for this....there are days I despair of Luke ever getting better with people. This gives me hope we can work through it, and encouragement not to give up.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
It's adorable that Phoenix taught her new friend how to swim. Dogs really appreciate confidence in their companions, I think. Thank you for joining the hop!
ReplyDelete