ResqTails

So, I’ll start off with “the good”. We got to spend yesterday at another Stacy Peardot-Goudy workshop. The weather was pretty nice in the morning…while I was auditing. That all changed though as soon as the afternoon session was about to begin. A rain and hailstorm rolled in and stayed the rest of the afternoon. Thankfully, they had the workshop at a location with the option of moving inside a barn if needed. I was so grateful for that! Regardless of the weather, the training sequences were challenging and fun. I have to say that Stacy really has a talent for making you feel at ease, and yet being able to push you outside your comfort zone in your normal handling.

Another good thing from yesterday was that Layla seemed to be back to herself in regards to people. She was more than happy to go visiting everyone. I had been really worried that she was going to have trouble with this because on Sunday we had gone out of town for the day. I had a friend stop by the house to let the dogs out and she said that Layla gave her trouble when she tried to get her to come back inside the house. Even with treats, she apparently was slinking up and grabbing the treat and then jerking backwards, so she couldn’t touch her. I still don’t understand what is going on. I mean I would have assumed that she would have been more comfortable here on Sunday with someone that is familiar, than up at the workshop yesterday, but it wasn’t the case. Go figure.

Now for “the bad”. Even though Layla seemed comfortable with the people at the workshop, she didn’t seem relaxed to me when we were running the courses. She got a little sniffy a couple times, which I think were signs of stress, and she had problems weaving again. Everyone at the workshop is really sweet and they kept saying that her weaves looked better than last time. The thing is that the last time we were there, she did 3 sets of 12 weave poles without any trouble, and then she started bobbling. This time, she never did do a complete set of 12 on the first attempt and eventually Stacy just had me take her through 6 poles to help her be successful. So, in my mind, her weaves were much worse this time. I finally asked Stacy if I should put the guides back on the weaves at home for a while and see if that helps. She said that would be a good idea. I think it’s just a green dog problem and the fact that we haven’t been able to weave in places other than at home hasn’t helped. Now that the weather is getting better I’m going to make a point of getting out and training other places again.

And for “the ugly”. I have decided after my drive home last night that the “ugliness” is mostly coming from inside my head. The last few weeks with Layla acting strange have really freaked me out. I know it’s not reasonable, but I get so worried that these recent sensitivities and quirks that are showing up might be an indication of her becoming more reactive like Rogue. I don’t think I could handle going down that road again. In fact, I know that I just don’t have it in me to deal with another reactive/sensitive dog right now. I wish there was some easy way to change a thought process once your stuck in it, like just clicking a button. I guess that kind of solution only works if you’re looking to clear up your acne problem though. click here Since I know there isn’t a magic button, I’m just trying really hard to remind myself to live in the present, not relive things that happened in the past. Too bad my mind doesn’t work more like the dogs in that respect. LOL