Sounds great
Even just getting an expert to tell you you are on the right track can give you the boost to continue
But sounds like you have got some good tips too

(I like the camping tube idea)

I am glad you found it worthwhile as I know you were a bit worried beforehand.

Interesting that you mentioned about re-inforcing Cain not reacting to people in the street. I have recently been doing this with Izzy and she is much better at barking at them (or rather not barking ). She has always barked at the lad across the road when she sees him and she didn't yesterday so she got 2 pieces of cheese.

So pleased it went well

Oh, that sounds great! And you sound so confident now

I love the camping tube idea!

Sounds fab. Even if it wasn't tons of new information, like you said, at least you know that what you're doing is the right thing.
Grisha's book is a really interesting read, I found it cheapest from The Book Depository on Amazon (and had used them before, fairly quick postage both times). I'd lend you my copy but unlike the CU book I'm engrossed in this one and don't want to give it up You're welcome to flick through it next time you're over though if you want to look before you buy. I think it makes a whole lot of sense though. Happy to be a stooge but the method seems to require quite a lot of stooge people as apparently using the same person loses its effectiveness fairly quickly, you need lots of people so the dog can start to generalise. I'm hoping I can find strangers (well, their dogs) out and about who will be stooges for me without even realising, but maybe Dave or your dog socialisation class could help with finding some dog savvy volunteers to help you out too?

Handy tip about the toothpaste tube thingy! Guess it's similar to the Primula cheese trick (which works well on muzzled dogs) but a bit more healthy than giving tons of cream cheese.

Yikes, I would like to warn people not to google "camping tube" though I'd love to know the link to the item when he sends it Amanda!

ohh my mind is boggeling - I think I have to google just to see!!

That sounds great and you sound so empowered and confident!

We have our first appointment with the behaviorist we eventually chose in two weeks.Even through initial contact I am feeling calmer about dealing with Fudge's issues.....

I would be really interested to read an update....

Reading this again, I think quite a lot of the BAT stuff is applicable to Kestral so I might give that a try with some unwitting park goers.

Thanks to krlyr for the name of that book - a quick google of her has lead to some very interesting videos and reading.

And I just had to google camping tube after that.. lovely!

Really hope things go well Amanda with some of this additional information, it does sound like it was quite informative and uplifting.

(P.S - Hope your consult goes well Fudgeley - keep us postes )

I am so glad for you that it went well, Moon's Mum
I would have been really surprised if you'd come back and said he was not good with Cain or something like that

I think that what you got is invaluable because there is nothing worse than doing something and not being quite certain whether or not you are doing it right, whether you could be doing it differently, etc. Now you have the confidence to know that you are doing the utter best for Cain, you know what you have to do and also have some extras.

BAT is great, it makes so much sense. I am hoping to introduce it in our rehab group at some stage. It will be very interesting to read how you go with all of this and how you feel in say, 6 months time down the line.


Best wishes,
Wys
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