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 :))