Week 1, Day 3 & 4 update

Day 3 was another solid progression with low to moderate distractions.  I upped the ante by walking her by the neighbor with their rottweiler.  This time when Piper tracked, I changed directions and gave her another attempt and she tracked but didn't lock on.  We did it a few more times and went loose line the walk home..  Huge success imo.   Even the quiet time sessions are home are progressing nicely.  

In the field, it's a whole other story.  Welcome to our day 4 nightmare...

Yesterday, I was going to take Piper to Hoovers to at least start getting her used to vehicles.  I figured that would be good prep for meeting Loni on Friday.  Instead, I got a call from another friend who trains dogs.  I'd seen her in action and thought maybe it would make an even better challenge for Piper.

Instead of working outside like I'd anticipated, she was inside a training area with her three dogs.  I immediately got nervous and Piper was already on high alert from the horse and dog scent filled approach.  

We finally got seated in the very back corner, seemingly out of the way and safe in case she got reactive.  I reminded my friend how crazy Piper could get and felt we at least needed at least the illusion of a barrier, so she put one up.  

As soon as she released her first dog, Piper went nuts.  Her dog felt the pressure and performed perfectly.  Piper started to calm down.  Then my friend started throwing toys in our corner and Piper really flipped out.  It happened multiple times with two dogs.  

I finally started scruffing Piper with my left hand and grabbing her muzzle with my right in an attempt to control her.  She came very close to redirecting at my hand more than once.  If we didn't have such a long standing solid relationship, I've no doubt I'd have been bit.

Once my friend was done and the dogs crated, Piper calmed down and even lay down.  My friend said she was going to move the dogs to the house and meet me there when we were done being quiet.  When she opened the crate of the first dog that trained in front of us, the dog bolted and came racing back to us... sending Piper and I both into a huge slathering panic.  The dog appeared to just be playful and curious, and returned to my friend with a bit of coaxing.  

The craziest part came when the exact same thing happened with the next dog... this one of a breed that can be quite aggressive.  I immediately grabbed Piper by the collar and pushed her behind me, putting myself between the dogs as much as possible.   Had the dog jumped the barrier it would have gone horribly, as it was the dog also just curious and not aggressive and recalled eventually.  

The damage for Piper and I was already done and complete.  We were both shaken to the bone with adrenaline.  We stayed in the quiet room about 20 minutes to regroup and I walked her back to the truck.

When we got home I put her in quiet time at my side and she wen't right to sleep.  We never did get in a lunge line session.  

In hindsight, there were many things I could have and should have done differently.  Once I realized that we were in way over our heads I should have insisted we leave immediately, barring that we should have at least locked ourselves in one of the large kennels.  

This morning I rescheduled with Loni for next week.  I was still way too scared to put either of us around more big dogs without better preparation.  At lunch today with Roxanne, she helped my unpack the experience, gain a healthier perspective and set some boundaries.  

I have a strong plastic muzzle I bought Piper to stop her from grazing on nasties in the yard (didn't work) and for the next 4-6 weeks of training I'm going to have her wear it in public so that I feel safe in case she locks and lunges at a dog or child before I can stop it.

Yesterday was bad and good.  It gave me a much better idea of where we are and didn't surprise Roxanne in the slightest.  She still stands by my dog and me and is positive we can both work through these behaviors.  I believe her and you Jessi. 

Tomorrow we are heading to Home Depot to work in their lot.  We WILL come away successful... and I'll blog about it.  Xo!