A bit of a regression

Since the visit to the vet, it's been more like the early days than it has been in a while.

We'd had a couple of really good weeks.

But last weekend started with the vet then a walk on Sunday when the sun was shining, people and dogs were out in force and George was quite reactive.

We've also been a little unlucky with triggers at daycare drop-off. On Monday we were waiting for quite a while for a space. We were playing pattern games which George tolerated but he was quite over-stimulated.

George has been more restless at home and more alert.

Later in the week we met a friend and her dog for a walk.

I'd suggested 6pm hoping people would be eating dinner and it would be a little quieter. The neighbours are usually home at that time.

George isn't used to evening walks but we will need to walk later during the summer months due to the heat. I gave him his evening meds earlier than usual.

As we were about to leave, I could hear the neighbours' children playing (and also screaming) right outside the front door. So we waited.

My friend was understanding of the delay. And we waited. Finally there was a moment's quiet so we left.

Then I heard a voice. As we paused by the door, a neighbour carrying her baby came up behind us so we had to leave. There was a neighbour standing in the narrow path, two children playing in the carpark, and another neighbour sitting on a step.

We got through it but George was way over-threshold.

On the walk he was wary and more nervous than he has been in a while. Although he walked past people at a distance without reacting.

Unfortunately there were quite a few people out and about.

He tolerated a couple of kids on bikes and a scooter but looked on edge.

We called in at my friend's house for a drink. George is very familiar with the house and was excited to go in.

I stupidly left my bag with treats in on the floor. George's friend was having a sniff around and George was keeping an eye. Then George was sitting next to me on the sofa and his friend was getting very close. George suddenly gave a warning snap.

I haven't seen that before. I've always been grateful that George hadn't shown any signs of resource guarding.

It was my fault for leaving my bag in reach, and for not recognising that George was uncomfortable quickly enough.

My friend was very understanding. We moved the bag and made sure they gave each other space. We didn't stay for too much longer.

George and his friend have always shared their toys and treats very well. But it was an eye-opener for me. Particularly when George is having a harder day, I need to be extra careful and make sure he has space and there is nothing to resource guard.

Back in the car park at home and we were unlucky to bump into the neighbours yet again. George was really struggling at this point.

At home, he paced and grumbled and struggled to settle. I haven't seen that in a while.

It was all a little disheartening but as my friend pointed out, there were still positives. He didn't bark at people at a distance, he tolerated (just about) dogs barking and the bikes and scooters.

It was a big day and quite a challenging week. I learned what I would do differently in future.

The next day he barked at everything on the way to daycare and at drop-off. He had a particularly strong reaction to a poster showing a picture of a cat.

I think we will have an extra rest day this week.

It'll be a bit of trial and error with the walk times and meds and is a change in routine for George over the summer months. I need to recognise that these are all factors. I won't always get it right but will try to learn from each experience.