New Season - New Objects - New Fears
April 29th 2009 23:39
Well with this being his first spring here, Wally's not seen what his "territory" looks like while under construction, so to speak. It's time to get the gardens back in shape - new plants, waking up fallow beds, new landscaping, and that just brings out all the shovels and garden claws and water hoses - not to mention trash bags, flower pots, and old familiar paths gone.
All of this can have a bit of an effect on Wally, being that he's somewhat fearful of strange objects.
So what do I do - I have to help him get over it. Don't have weeks and weeks to gradually ease him into it. Everything (hopefully!) will be done by then and he'd still be afraid. So it's time to have him, as the book title goes, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway."
I can't stop him from having his emotions. Not only would that cause even more stress (assuming it's possible at all), it's unnecessary. All I want from him is performance anyway, in this case, walk the same path even if there's a shovel nearby. Come inside, even if you have to jump over the water hose. Sit and wait to be let out the gate, even if you have to sit next to the Big Black Bag.
I like to urge him on, building up a desire to get to where I am high enough to counter the fear he's feeling. I keep him trying to figure out a way and make sure it's a way that requires him to "confront" the object, not just go around it. Sometimes, going around just won't work - like coming in the house.
So I urge and urge in an upbeat voice. I praise every step in the right direction. I all but chant "You can do it!" And, eventually, he does and he has a look of accomplishment on his face as I rub him down and let him jump up on me.
That was the path - the hose wasn't quite so easy.
I stayed with the same trick - urging him on. But it wasn't working this time. He barked and asked me for help (a high pitched squeak-ish whine/whimper), but I kept urging him to come to me. Every time he yipped, I gave a "here!" cue in an excited upbeat voice. I moved back farther away - still calling and urging him on.
At least, he leaped over the hose and scampered inside to me. I praised him and went outside. He did it coming in, but the hose might be there going outside as well. He got the hang of it a bit faster this time. It didn't take as much urging and there was no whimpering or barking this time. Now, back inside one more time. This time, the barking came back - not sure why only in this direction. Maybe it's because he's coming "home" and the scary hose is blocking his way back. Still, though, it was faster than the first time. Just some urging and he made the same leap and came inside.
So at least he might not be so afraid of the hose since he hopefully has an idea of how to deal with it/get past it. Next time the garden needs water will be the test.
All of this can have a bit of an effect on Wally, being that he's somewhat fearful of strange objects.
So what do I do - I have to help him get over it. Don't have weeks and weeks to gradually ease him into it. Everything (hopefully!) will be done by then and he'd still be afraid. So it's time to have him, as the book title goes, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway."
I can't stop him from having his emotions. Not only would that cause even more stress (assuming it's possible at all), it's unnecessary. All I want from him is performance anyway, in this case, walk the same path even if there's a shovel nearby. Come inside, even if you have to jump over the water hose. Sit and wait to be let out the gate, even if you have to sit next to the Big Black Bag.
I like to urge him on, building up a desire to get to where I am high enough to counter the fear he's feeling. I keep him trying to figure out a way and make sure it's a way that requires him to "confront" the object, not just go around it. Sometimes, going around just won't work - like coming in the house.
So I urge and urge in an upbeat voice. I praise every step in the right direction. I all but chant "You can do it!" And, eventually, he does and he has a look of accomplishment on his face as I rub him down and let him jump up on me.
That was the path - the hose wasn't quite so easy.
I stayed with the same trick - urging him on. But it wasn't working this time. He barked and asked me for help (a high pitched squeak-ish whine/whimper), but I kept urging him to come to me. Every time he yipped, I gave a "here!" cue in an excited upbeat voice. I moved back farther away - still calling and urging him on.
At least, he leaped over the hose and scampered inside to me. I praised him and went outside. He did it coming in, but the hose might be there going outside as well. He got the hang of it a bit faster this time. It didn't take as much urging and there was no whimpering or barking this time. Now, back inside one more time. This time, the barking came back - not sure why only in this direction. Maybe it's because he's coming "home" and the scary hose is blocking his way back. Still, though, it was faster than the first time. Just some urging and he made the same leap and came inside.
So at least he might not be so afraid of the hose since he hopefully has an idea of how to deal with it/get past it. Next time the garden needs water will be the test.
| 22 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
