trini
Forums Sage
Super job, Watson and Darci! Glad it went so well...and it really sounds like the instructor is a truly qualified one.
Trini
Trini
Time to heal the mind
- Thread starter Watson's Mom
- Start date
Watson's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
We talked a little bit about post traumatic stress last night, I've talked a bit about it with the vet who's personal experience with her own dog who got attacked (maybe why she took such amazingly awesome care of him), and other people who's dogs have gotten bites but not the same degree of violence in an all out attack...
All have said their dogs were "changed." More skittish. The vet said her dog ONLY liked her other dog. But I honestly haven't seen any of these issues yet. Granted, he's only had one puppy all up in his stuff so far, but even the very day it happened- he was trying to play with a bulldog in the vet office. He's not shown me any red flags or behaviors that he doesn't normally exhibit when he has seen everything from the bulldog to a bernese mountain dog in the offices.
It has been almost 5 weeks now since it happened. Could and ptsd type issues develop over time? I'm comfortable with him going out in public places where there would be dogs on lead with what I saw of him last night, but not yet to the point I want him somewhere where people ignore the leash requirement... I would love to take him to our nearby state park, but people routinely ignore the leash law.
All have said their dogs were "changed." More skittish. The vet said her dog ONLY liked her other dog. But I honestly haven't seen any of these issues yet. Granted, he's only had one puppy all up in his stuff so far, but even the very day it happened- he was trying to play with a bulldog in the vet office. He's not shown me any red flags or behaviors that he doesn't normally exhibit when he has seen everything from the bulldog to a bernese mountain dog in the offices.
It has been almost 5 weeks now since it happened. Could and ptsd type issues develop over time? I'm comfortable with him going out in public places where there would be dogs on lead with what I saw of him last night, but not yet to the point I want him somewhere where people ignore the leash requirement... I would love to take him to our nearby state park, but people routinely ignore the leash law.
Watson's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
WAHOO, way to go Watson, rootin' for ya' all the way. Good job mom for letting him take the lead and go at his pace. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
I've always had to let him take the lead on things like meeting people. He has always gone pretty much everywhere with us and he's so stinking cute that EVERYBODY always wants to pet him.... well, he's not always in the mood for that and doesn't always think so highly of people. I always tell the people who ask- "yes, you may pet him, but the decision is ultimately his- if he's ok with it, he will come up to you and if you want to increase the chance of him sticking around, pet his white ruff instead of his head." I also usually have a pocket full of treats... he will take a treat from just about anybody and people seem to like that too.
There was one lady who had a sheltie years ago in one of our classes and she wanted SO badly to pet him... he never did let her.. but he LOVED her dog though who's background was a guess at best-- we all though border collie, sheltie, and papillon... watching those two was an absolute trip, in the park we would go to were mostly huskies and labs- no one with his same style of play.
Watson's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
We took a trip to Petsmart today and I'll call it a success!
He was such a good boy, walking right by my side behind the cart. He stopped and walked right up to one lady and sniffed at her legs. And we stopped and chatted with another one who asked if he had just been groomed.... DOH!!! He's had less than half of his side shaved... if he had been, I would have been sharing with her where NOT to go!
But we had a chance to chat about what had happened and how important it is for people to be good and responsible owners. He also walked right up to her and let her pet him.
Then as we waited to check out, two crazy labs came dragging their owner through the doors and into the grooming spot. Watson plastered himself to my leg but did not try to run away or bark or anything like that. It was pretty much the response I would have expected from him with two large dogs barreling our way out of control under normal circumstances. As soon as they were gone, he was back out and walking around. He had a chance to see that dogs coming don't necessarily mean something really horrible will happen.
Then we went to a carwash.... turns out those are far scarier than those labs.
He was such a good boy, walking right by my side behind the cart. He stopped and walked right up to one lady and sniffed at her legs. And we stopped and chatted with another one who asked if he had just been groomed.... DOH!!! He's had less than half of his side shaved... if he had been, I would have been sharing with her where NOT to go!
But we had a chance to chat about what had happened and how important it is for people to be good and responsible owners. He also walked right up to her and let her pet him.Then as we waited to check out, two crazy labs came dragging their owner through the doors and into the grooming spot. Watson plastered himself to my leg but did not try to run away or bark or anything like that. It was pretty much the response I would have expected from him with two large dogs barreling our way out of control under normal circumstances. As soon as they were gone, he was back out and walking around. He had a chance to see that dogs coming don't necessarily mean something really horrible will happen.
Then we went to a carwash.... turns out those are far scarier than those labs.
Sharon7
Moderator
This is such great news and good progress for Watson. You are approaching this in such a thoughtful way. He sounds like such a great dog. Please give him a hug and a treat from me!