Agoraphobia?

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Looking back, she got worse before we went on vacation. By the time we left she was hiding in her crate and refused to have anything to do with the dogs.

She was doing better up north but went backwards a few steps when we got home. She will play with my hands but refuses to touch toys or play with the other dogs. So much for tugging. I've noticed that she's become a bit reactive too, when she feels startled she now lunges. Looking forward to talking to the behaviorist tomorrow. :(
 
How did it go last night...what did she do for Ginny and Toby? I so hope she gave you some insight to what happened.
 
A visit with Joan Weston - Dog Behaviorist

I was so anxious before she arrived! I tried not to be but I was afraid she wouldn't show up and anxious for some solutions to my nightmare. Dogs definitely sensed it, they were as geared up as me before her arrival.

My visit with Joan, the behaviourist went REALLY well. My shelties loved her immediately and were falling all over themselves to get to her. She was barely in the door and Toby was beside her on the couch, leaning against her with his head on her shoulder. Priceless.

Ginny - Ginny was having a good day yesterday, plus Joan was able to bring her out of her shell in a way that I couldn't. After talking to Joan about what I was doing with Ginny, she made me realize that I've inadvertently been putting pressure on Ginny by taking her outside one on one and hanging out and also trying to get her to play. Instead I should be ignoring her and playing with my other two, with her near by (This was what Joan was doing). That way Ginny can join if she wants to (which is exactly what she's been doing), or choose to back away. Its the same principle you use with dogs who are afraid of people, if people try to pet them they become uncomfortable, if people ignore the dog they're much more relaxed.

She also suggested I try playing with Ginny using a horses dressage whip. Since its long the dog feel's less pressured. Ginny is small so I think I'm going to try a cat toy first, something like a stick with a rope coming off of it and something with feathers at the other end.

Joan also walked with me a little and showed me how I should interact with her in a way that will help her confidence, comfort her when its needed and ignore her anxious behavior when its not warranted (She literally spooks herself).

Toby - Her observation of Toby and the video I sent her of him freaking out (before Reconcile) is that Toby's barking explosions are no longer anxiety based like before, they're excitement based. Its basically a behaviour that he's learned and enjoys when he sees something exciting (Gee, never heard of a sheltie doing that before :rolleyes2:). Since anxiety is no longer an issue with him most of the time, she said I don't have to be afraid to interrupt his barking with a 'Hush!' and a quick squirt with water if he should continue. She also showed me how to get him past scary situations more effectively when we do encounter them and gave me desensitization exercises to do with him.

On a side note, Toby is doing amazing on the Reconcile, his anxiety is a fraction of what it was. Joan said she believes he may be one of those dogs who is on it for life, since he responded so quickly to it. She believes at least part of his problem is chemical in his brain.
 
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