Quite a big week

He had a groom at the start of the week which can be a challenge (see Brushing and grooming). This usually leads to an increase in reactivity for the next couple of days.

Unfortunately it's been a slightly unusual week at work so the following days he had to go in to daycare for two days in a row.  Not ideal, I usually try to have a rest day in between.

At drop-off on the second day, he was jumping around and fell quite hard on his side. He didn't appear to be hurt but he had quite a shock.

We did manage to have a rest day on the following day. 

The next day, George had to go back into daycare for an overnight stay. I had a friend visiting and a rare evening out to see a comedy show.

On the plus side, it was our calmest drop-off ever…no triggers of other dogs being dropped off on a Saturday lunchtime! He was excited to go in.

My friend came with me to pick him up the following morning. He has met her a few times but doesn't see her regularly. I was so impressed that he acknowledged her without any barking or reacting. He was too excited to see me at pick-up.

In the car and back home, he immediately accepted her presence. In fact, I think he fell in love a little bit :)

We went for a beach walk in the afternoon. Our arrival in the car park unfortunately coincided with the arrival of a surf club - lots and lots of people! George was reacting but shook it off. We had a little sniff around a quieter area to reset before venturing to the beach.

It was busy near the entrance but amazingly George was able to walk through with minimal reactions. In the quieter area, we were able to switch to the long line and even managed some off-leash time once no people or dogs were around.

He met a few dogs (somewhat unavoidable unfortunately at an off-leash beach) but mostly managed it well. I was very impressed that when he went to chase them (often his reaction), when I called him, he stopped and came back. I think he is starting to be able to listen when in hyper-arousal mode!

An oodle he met kept following a couple of times when George walked away. I was impressed that George was the one doing a brief greeting then coming to me when called and moving on. Luckily the other owner called their oodle away before it got too annoying for George.

This was the first walk we have done in quite some time without Trazodone. I have some concerns with Trazodone at the moment so thought I would try without. There was no noticeable difference. Given the volume of triggers, George did very very well.

We then drove to the airport to drop off my friend. The airport drop off area is not a great environment for George given the volume and proximity of people. Unfortunately I can't leave him due to his separation anxiety.

He impressed me again. We got through the whole drop off experience without any reactions.

George would have been tired from his overnight in daycare so this would likely have contributed to fewer reactions to my friend, on the beach and at the airport. He also does better when it is not just me and him.

But I am still taking this week as a big win. Despite it being a challenging week, George handled it all really well. My friend commented on how much improvement he has made.

It would all have been incredibly difficult, if not impossible, a few weeks ago. But I will aim for an easier week this week!