It's been awhile since I updated you on Tinsel and what he's been doing. We are enrolled in a "Shy Dog Social" every Saturday at Mirkka's. There are 5 dogs and usually 8 people. Primarily for dogs that are either afraid of other dogs or people we just sit around on the floor or in chairs and allow the dogs to wander going from person to person for treats. Now you wouldn't think this would do much but there has been an almost immediate response in every dog. Tinsel is stepping up on people to get treats and has transferred that behaviour into walking up to people that come to the door. The pomeranian that was nervous around larger dogs is pushing in and demanding her treats even when every dog there is stationed at one person. The chi cross, afraid of both dogs and people, will go with Tin as he scrounges from anyone on her mom's side of the room but hasn't tried to cross to the other side yet. Tin is the largest dog as it is limited to smaller breeds. He's actually helping the two littlest ones to feel safe - that's my Tin paying it forward!. There's a rescue from Thailand, a basenji type of dog, that is in love with our boy and seems to like being with me instead of her mom when at class. Thankfully her mom is a good sport about it. We have started putting the extended hand pressure with quick release to the dogs that are nervous of people.
Watching the dogs direct calming signals in their interactions with each other and the people in the room is quite interesting. Sitting on the floor in this small group allows you a bird's eye view of how each dog starts with their own favourite and will move on to another if needed. Tin always starts with the lip lick but if he needs to add to it he will turn his head then ground sniff. Hoping for some barking to break out occasionally so I can work on his fear of that. He's okay with our other dogs but still needs work when it's dogs that don't live here, even if they are only barking out of joy. He allows me to stroke his back legs and feet but the fronts are still a worry for him. He'll get it eventually.
The other new thing in Tin's life is the opossum that has decided to visit our yard on occasion. Tin follows it's trail all round the yard, sometimes ending up with the old foot freeze that requires me to go out and rescue him. He went on an elevator and did really well, actually we were really surprised at how well he did. There was an instant of "what" and then he just stood there quietly and waited until the doors opened and we walked out. There was a stranger on the elevator as well which he didn't care at all about.
I wish his physical body was stronger as he loves to learn and there are so many things he would probably enjoy doing but we don't want to put undue stress on the portions of his body that wouldn't support it. I have started teaching him some freestyle moves but there will be no standing, unsupported, on his back legs.
That about brings you up to date on Tinsel's progress. Most days he acts almost whole but occasionally there will be something odd that is scarey that takes him back to his dark place. Too many people will overwhelm him but he is learning to cope better with each passing week. When I look at the pictures of him in the beginning or our journey together and look at him now I am amazed at how far he has come. I often wonder what he would have been like if he hadn't had to endure the abuse he did. He's an awe inspiring little dog to have not only survived but to have overcome.
Watching the dogs direct calming signals in their interactions with each other and the people in the room is quite interesting. Sitting on the floor in this small group allows you a bird's eye view of how each dog starts with their own favourite and will move on to another if needed. Tin always starts with the lip lick but if he needs to add to it he will turn his head then ground sniff. Hoping for some barking to break out occasionally so I can work on his fear of that. He's okay with our other dogs but still needs work when it's dogs that don't live here, even if they are only barking out of joy. He allows me to stroke his back legs and feet but the fronts are still a worry for him. He'll get it eventually.
The other new thing in Tin's life is the opossum that has decided to visit our yard on occasion. Tin follows it's trail all round the yard, sometimes ending up with the old foot freeze that requires me to go out and rescue him. He went on an elevator and did really well, actually we were really surprised at how well he did. There was an instant of "what" and then he just stood there quietly and waited until the doors opened and we walked out. There was a stranger on the elevator as well which he didn't care at all about.
I wish his physical body was stronger as he loves to learn and there are so many things he would probably enjoy doing but we don't want to put undue stress on the portions of his body that wouldn't support it. I have started teaching him some freestyle moves but there will be no standing, unsupported, on his back legs.
That about brings you up to date on Tinsel's progress. Most days he acts almost whole but occasionally there will be something odd that is scarey that takes him back to his dark place. Too many people will overwhelm him but he is learning to cope better with each passing week. When I look at the pictures of him in the beginning or our journey together and look at him now I am amazed at how far he has come. I often wonder what he would have been like if he hadn't had to endure the abuse he did. He's an awe inspiring little dog to have not only survived but to have overcome.
Ally usually wants to have her butt skritched at that time for some reason!
