How Embarrassing!

Once again Lila & I ended up @ the vet's office to revisit an on going issue w/ her butt!  When I pulled into their parking lot, I noticed a lady who was walking her Lab-a-doodle into the waiting room.  Being of sound mind & body - I decided to walk my girl around a bit & then enter .  Well, best laid plans of mice & men - the lady was still waiting in the waiting room along w/ a gentleman who had a greyhound seated @ his side.  At first, peace prevailed ....but.....not for long!   The Lab-a-doodle  gave Lila the " stink " eye & it was on!!!!   They both were lunging @ each other ( for a second I thought I had Bud ) & noises came out of both canines that I never heard before !

It took ALL my strength to knee Lila to the bench so she could not " meet " her new found friend.  In this process - she even  knocked over their lovely end cap that was advertising something for the office :(   

 All I could think of  was.......... I NOW own one of those dogs I used to see @ the vet's office & felt very bad for the owners - yikes!

The staff was wonderful - even tho for a while there they could not hear their phones ringing & all commented on how beautiful  she is - I retorted that I used to think so too.... BUT.... not today.  I must add that the Greyhound was unfazed & simply remained seated  by his owner - jealously can't begin to describe what I felt watching them!

We were finally led to an exam room where she quickly laid by my feet - poor thing was exhausted from her earlier meet & greet.  She was very good w/ the vet & when it was time to leave,  the tech made sure the waiting room was clear of any canine .....just in case Lila got a second wind!

Five Steps Forward & Three Steps BACK......

I realize dogs ( animals ) feed off  your  energy & emotions - but Lila has taken this to a whole new level.  How can an  almost " perfect " canine indoors become practically unmanageable out doors???  Our walks are like a wrestling match!!!    She does beautifully @ a heel as long as there is not another creature in sight.  When she does see another 4 legged critter - she spins out of control & I mean it literally :(

I have tried taking a squeak toy to distract her upon seeing another animal - which worked for almost 10 seconds. I have tried treats -  which she is too busy to consume when she is air borne!  I purchased the halti- collar -  which worked wonders in the beginning ( after our 45 minute session on getting her to accept the darn thing ) , but I'm afraid she will bust out of it whilst twirling in the air trying to " greet " the other canine walking on the same planet !! 

                                        Don't you just see it in her eyes - yikes !!



The thing is I KNOW what she needs is exposure to the outside elements - be it people, dogs, birds etc - since she saw nothing but a backyard for most of her life chained to a doghouse. It's just that I now have a dog that I used to see people walking & think  - " they don't have a clue what they are doing " ?   Truth is I thought I did - but - obviously Lila does not.  I so wish her past could have been different BUT there is nothing I can do to change that, so I'm committed to working w/her.  Hopefully our new trainer can guide me as how to help her understand that other dogs are not out to get her or me.



           Cesar has not returned my e-mails ......so...... he must feel I can do it myself :))