Mia update - WTG girl

Yesterday was my agility club show
It is in a indoor horse barn with very close corridors for the dogs to walk along
So I knew that would be too much for Mia so I didnt enter her

But I was walking her around the grounds where the other dogs were being exercised and into the doorway of the venue and in the main she was staying focused

On a couple of occasions she freaked out a little bit but even then was able to correct herself

For example I was playing 'we go into the door, get treats and walk away' game and she was doing great, happy grin, eye contact on me doing some tricks with strange dogs 4 feet away, but when I walked out on one occasion there was a guy coming in with a GSD
She of course started barking and lunging but I called her name and she spun round to me, took a treat, spun back gave a grrrrr then remembered herself and turned back to me for more treats

She did freak a bit at a big terrier type I didnt recognise the breed - but it was strange looking

and another great thing
She is also v reactive in the car to all animals, something I plan to work on but it is difficult because I am the driver!!
But we have been working on being calm around animals on walks and now she seems to have generalised that to sheep - she dosent bark at sheep from the car That is so cool!! Hopefully when she gets calm around other animals then drives in the country will be less earsplitting

Its a long slow road but she is getting so much better!

Sounds like you're doing a great job with Mia.

It is a slow process but every small step in the right direction is a success. Then suddenly you look back & realise that you've actually come quite a long way!

You are doing so well Slow but sure.

Would it help to put blinds on the car window. I have seen it done on Me or the Dog. So that she can't see out and get agitated?

Thanks guys
You are so right you cannot look at things day by day and see progress, its v depressing if you do that
But if I look back to where I was this time last year then the progress is great! I do feel guilty because I know I could have done more and made her happier

I have thought about blinds in the car, at shows I was putting things over the car, although it keeps her calm she isnt learning anything. i am finding parking on the edges of things so she can see and not freak out is helping

Well done! It seems a hard journey sometimes but "even the snail by perseverance made it to the ark! (one of my favourite quotes!)

Cherry used to be very reactive but now when I look back at what she used to be like and how she behaves now it's like having a different dog!

A huge Rottweiller cross (my husband said it was crossed with a horse!) came up to her 2 days ago and she just sat and ignored it!! Amazing as she doesn't like big dogs as she was attacked by a Rottweiller.

Positive methods really do work long-term.