Arabia Mountain Photos

Valentine hanging out on the Arabia Mountain Bike Trail with Charlotte.

These signs really alarmed Valentine when she first saw them.  She had never seen anything like it before.

Charlotte is helping Valentine to realize the sign is nothing to be afraid of and letting her safely gain information about it from a distance.

 

This is a picture of valentine feeling a little stressed.  Her ears are pinned back, and she has the sideways glance.  Her body is tense.  Over time, she got more comfortable.  Charlotte hung a sign on her collar saying not to approach her because she was in training.  It is important that when you teach your dog to be comfortable with someone, some place, or something new that you allow them to explore, sniff, and examine things at their own pace and do not force them into close, uncomfortable encounters.  If they have positive experiences over and over again their fear will begin to disapate.  Vally is always shy and nervous in new places, but once she has been there and done that she is her normal cocky, energetic, and playful self.

 

Yesterday, a wonderful couple took Valentine out for a walk around the trail at PAWS.  I talked to them, at length, about her story.  They were gentle with her but also firm.  She was smitten and was quickly walking well with them on a leash, sitting beside them when they stopped walking, and responding to her word cues when they asked her to.  They left without taking an application, but it was a great experience for everyone involved!