The Dog Whisperer
On his website, Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, writes:
Fear can develop in a dog for a number of reasons, including low self-esteem, general discomfort or exposure to a stressful environment. Dogs can also exhibit fears due to the presence of a specific object or past and present human behavior. As with most unwanted dog behavior, prolonged contact with such physical and mental triggers can extend the existence of fear in a dog. Owners of fearful dogs need to identify what their dog’s specific fears are and develop a strategy to address each and every one.
Fear in a dog can be deep-rooted and require the build up of trust and confidence. It can be a long, slow process. In these cases, it is important to watch and evaluate your dog carefully and patiently all along the way to successful rehabilitation. http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
An unfortunate thing happened with Xena last week. In case you don't know, Xena is a dog with a heartbreaking history. My daughter took Xena from a shelter to live with her. Xena is frightened of so many things. I suppose her fears fall into the categories of sound and movement.
You know how Xena was coming into my office and hanging out a little here?
Well, last week, we had, of all things, a thunder storm with excessively loud thunder. Xena came running into my office for safety. As she came onto the threshold of my office, there was loudest thunderclap the world has ever known, and Xena ran away so fast.
Since then, she will come to the doorway of my office now once in a while, but hasn't yet ventured over the threshold. Does she think her stepping into my office set off the thunder? Does she think that I did it and did it on purpose? No matter how many times I tell her that the loud noise had nothing to do with her, that she didn't cause it and neither did I, I'm not sure she understands.
One new good thing is that when Xena is under the cushions on my daughter's couch, and I go by, she will lift her head up to see me. Then, I put my face close to hers, and she will allow me to be nose to nose with her before she puts her head back under the cushion. It is very sweet to be nose to nose with Xena. For a second, we exchange breaths. That exchange of prana has to be good, don't you think?
Comments
Seems to me that the thunderclap was a bit too coincidental to be a coincidence. At the least it was not prevented or moved forward or back. As to why it was allowed, I can only shrug my shoulders. God would probably explain if it was important to know.
In thinking about that exchange of prana, I realize that this is something that I tolerate with my dogs since it seems so important to them but don't much enjoy. Thinking further, that is peculiar since one of my wishes is to be able to talk with critters. Thinking even further, I see some uncomfortable parallels in my exchanges with God.
Perhaps Xena's angel would be so good as to let her know that scary as that thunderclap was, it served to get me thinking about something I needed to think about. And to thank her and give her a hug from me.
Yes, she associated the thunderclap with the threshold; cut up bits of hotdog leading in a trail to under your desk might have changed her mind, a few days later,or you gently leading her there, with hotdog "carrot", and then laying under the desk with her, petting, but not directly looking at her for a little bit, then letting her leave of her own accord.. Yes, she did not understand any verbalizations on the subject. Caesar is wrong about having to identify each fear; the solution, as with most things, is more global -- provide the human as protection (and/or another dog), a safe environment, reward bravery / be matter-of-fact instead of coddling, when they do get afraid. Be gradual with new situations, be patient, but DO continue to expose them to new things! Caesar makes good TV but he's old school and his greatest challenge is fearful dogs. Don't follow him; very last century, lol~
Beloved Yael, we sure have seen what another dog has done for Tikva. It's so beautiful.
I don't think you ever knew Sunshine and Ginger. Sunshine was never afraid of anything. Ginger was a little poodle who had been severely abused. The people who subsequently had her neglected her -- she lived outside under a truck, with no fence or anything. Ginger wouldn't let anyone touch her.
I would walk Sunshine, and she would follow Sunshine. She just adored him. After a while, the people who had Ginger gave her to us. She would do whatever Sunshine did. After a month, she came to trust Lauren and me because she modeled herself after Sunshine. As an example, we had black raspberry bushes, and we'd give raspberries to Sunshine. He liked them. Gingie didn't like them, but she would eat them because Sunny did. It was very sweet.
How precious are our dogs. Lucky Tikva and Heschel to have you and each other. .