After reorienting our thinking about Lucy as a poor, abused pup, to thinking of her as a dog without a pack, we were able to learn some tools to help her feel like part of our family, our pack. Within a few hours, Lucy was learning to walk on leash. In the next week, Lucy has continued to do well on the leash, inside and outside. With the leash, she spends time with the family and relaxes in our presence. She is exploring the house and yard, and beginning to show some comfort around us. It has been a big week!

Return to the Special Needs Page to see Lucy's video.

Progress Report:
1/24/08

Hi Heather and Rick,

We are all doing well. Here's Lucy's progress report...

Yes, going off the leash has been a success for Lucy! She races out back, does her business, and then peeks around the fence opening until we open the back door. She was a bit out of control upon coming back inside after this. For example, she would bound and fumble her way in knocking over anything in her path ...

Now she is doing better with it - she comes in and I block the pathway into the house and say sit - she sits or lays and I say good Lucy or give a treat. Much better!

The big success for the week is our adventures across the street! We were taking Lucy around the block daily - but because she would flinch at every noise around, we decided this felt like a bit much for her just yet. So instead, I have been taking her across the street to the park and running with her. We run around the park perimeter or simply up and down the length of the park. The kids play in the park, or run with us! Generally, the distractions and noise are a lot less, and she is able to focus on staying up with me. I could probably use some input on Heeling - as she bumps into me from time to time. (ouch)

She is showing a lot more interest in wanting to be with us! We love this! If we are all in the back room without her, she will often come and lay down in that room, or at least pace the hallway until we "invite" her back with a pull of the leash. If there are little ones being noisy, however, she prefers to keep a little distance. I will often have her stay by me, near the chaos, or allow her to be a room away.

She still gets nervous when the front or back door opens. She was darting into the office or kids room (of all places to hide!) at the first sound of a door. After leading her back into the open and doing the alpha walk numerous times, she is now starting to be able to stay in the kitchen, or pace the hallway/kitchen loop when a door opens. She will even come to me sometimes, when I get down low and call her!

Going out the door, or taking her with me to answer the door still makes her really nervous, but I think she is making progress.

She is eating like a champ!

So, we are doing well. We probably use too many sweet words with her when she is scared. I catch myself saying things like, "it's ok, Lucy, it's just the door." Then I remember and try to Alpha myself! We would love another visit with you to work on heel and maybe sit - and review ways to help her feel comfortable.

Hope you are well. Take care.