Day 8

We went for our regular morning and evening walks in the park

I'm VERY HAPPY to report that this little chap has pretty much gone off his little grouch with bicycles (I hope :))

We pass an average of about ten bicycles in the park everyday, some at high speed, some not. The killers that used to get Tristan into a complete state of frenzy were those who sneaked up from behind us AT HIGH SPEED (To be fair, sometimes I think I would bark too if I could!).

For the last at least 10 -15 days, this little chap has outperformed every bit of my expectations (Yes, call me one of little faith!). He has not lunged for any bicycle in the park at all. None! Not even those obnoxious ones! Now, that's my boy! :)

Sometimes, it's amazing to think that we've only started the Flowers remedy 8 days ago. I wouldn't say it has solved all our problems but I really think the calming effects it has brought for this little guy has definitely helped his quality of life. Because he doesn't get so worked up by the smallest of noise anymore, because he could calm down when a fast moving object passes him by, this little steps has given me so much more room to reach out to him in his times of high stress and do some behavior modification work with him, something which I previously couldn't do.

Now, I can surely see that little wisp of light at the end of the tunnel. And I am happy. :)

All that said, I'm pretty sure the constant cooing and shoving of cookies into his face when bicycles sped past us at the park previously had helped tremendously to get us here too.

It's strange how life is always a vicious cycle, isn't it? When your dog is calm(er) and better behaved, you are in turn more relaxed and therefore able to enjoy him more and praise him more, which then results in a calmer and better behaved dog which then of course results in more praise and more treats etc etc...

Maybe that's what that has been giving me the strength and patience to keep on searching for ways and means to manage those unsocial quirks of his. The prospect of a better bond with him. And that is only possible if he is calm enough to make the right choices so I don't have to yell at him at every walk. :)

A thinking dog is a good dog. But you gotta be calm before you can think!