Albee vs. men and Albee vs. the car

[rumorofrain]

Albee has, on and off, exhibited fearful behavior toward men. It's mild but obvious - shying away when they try to touch him, keeping his distance, turning his head away as they lean over him. He doesn't do it with all men - a couple of my coworkers are solidly in his group of Happy People - but he does it with certain men, even some of those he

Comments

[beachdog]

Good training tips!

[zandperl]

Pets are bizarre. Yesterday Kappa met a new person, a man, and I was shocked to see that she wasn't terrified of him as she usually is of not only all new people, but even more so of men. His build isn't too dissimilar from T$'s, so perhaps that set her at ease, but I may never know.

[mirrormargaret]

So interesting. I have this cat book, _Twisted Whiskers_, that comments on the fact that our cats' stressors are probably outside of our own sensory / experiential abilities. For instance (that author explained), your cat might be stressing out because something unusual is going on outside the window she usually looks out of ... while you're at work.

That's by way of saying, we just don't know what it is, and I love that you and Albee are together making the car less scary again. :)

The other day I was explaining to someone how to cue Ivy that she was doing something really good (in that case, pee outside on cue) and I was dancing around and sort of cooing and shrieking, and the other person was looking at me strangely. I explained your training of me about a year ago (when I was helping Ivy not be afraid of the kitchen floor): "Make it a party!" I said, "This is a party, to her." The other person seemed game, though nonplussed.

[mirrormargaret]

I'm also reminded to mention--Remember when I was trying to train Ivy not to fear toddlers? O. and H. (4 and 2) spent the evening at my house today ... curled up on the bed with Ivy, cuddling, kissing, telling her what not to do ("DO NOT EAT THOSE CARROTS. THOSE ARE NOT FOR YOU"), and when they left, being jumped up on.

There's something really awesome and special about having a dog that is just the right size for very small people ... who can love and feel safe around those small people. Thank you. :)

[rumorofrain]

I was having such a bad day yesterday, and feeling really down on myself. Reading these little stories from you has cheered me up immensely! Thank you for sharing them!

[rumorofrain]

I love the image of you throwing Ivy a party! I do that for Albee all the time, and it's both improved our relationship and made some of my neighbors think I'm a little cuckoo. (But others of my neighbors love watching us out their window!)

If only I could get more people to loosen up and throw their dogs parties, the world would be a better place, at least in a small way. :)