This shall be the modus operandi for now, at least for the near future.
The rationale behind that is 2 fold.
1) Outside condo walk at 6PM - After consciously keeping him away from motorcycles for months (to the best of our abilities), it's time to slowly introduce him to his "sheep". There's no better way than the road right infront of the condo at 6PM. This arrangement will allow me a chance to assess whether the Flowers are doing anything for his motorcycle obsession and (hopefully) an opportunity to re-train an alternative behavior for meeting his nemesis.
2) Walk in the park at 7PM - which is his usual - will stay because it's a relatively longer walk without motorcycles within 30CM, which equates to, a relaxing walk. This walk will also give him the opportunity to meet dogs, joggers and bicycles, objects which have at various junctures irritate him to bits. Best of all, if he stays really really calm during the walk, he gets the jackpot reward of playing chase with Braun in the big field.
I'm happy to report that during the 6PM walk this evening, he did really well. Oh well, at least better than I could have expected a week ago. He was still aroused at the sound of motorcycles but when I called him, he COULD turn away and divert his attention to me. Sweet.
For the 7PM walk, again, like this morning, there was a dog. Again he ignored it. Though (AGAIN!!!) I'm not completely sure if he spotted him. This is a labrador we meet on a rather frequent basis in this park and he does try to pull towards him every time. I was sure he could see him from his peripheral vision but he didn't react at all and kept his gaze intently on me (or the cookies - but honestly who cares).Hope springs alive. Yay!
Keep your fingers crossed for this little guy. Won't you?
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