Yet more firsts for George (and me!) this week.
We took a trip to a Sniffspot we have been to quite a few times before but not for a few weeks.
Since our last visit, a chicken coop and aviary had appeared. Once George realised what was in there, he was in full prey mode. He was running around and around while the chickens and birds fled from one end to the other.
I felt bad that he was stressing them out but it took me a moment to catch him. He was having a blast and his prey drive is strong.
I kept him on the longline for the rest of the visit and, when he was calmer, I tried to do some counter-conditioning at a distance.
I don't think we'll be back for a while though - it's not fair to the chickens and birds - and we need to work on his prey drive.
A ThunderShirt has often been suggested to me as a tool to help George's anxiety. The idea is that it has a calming effect, in a similar way to swaddling a baby. The research is encouraging, and my veterinary behaviourist and trainer had mentioned it.
As a puppy and younger teenager, George was quite touch-sensitive. He hated anything touching his body. So I didn't think it would help him. In fact, I thought he would hate it.
As he has matured, and with cooperative care and desensitisation, George is much less touch-sensitive. He doesn't mind things covering his body.
After he tolerated the cone of shame so well following his recent paw injury, I began thinking the ThunderShirt was worth a shot.
It arrived this week. We're still taking it very slowly so I can't comment on whether it will make a difference. I introduced it section by section with lots of treats and initially, he wore it just for a few minutes at a time. Now he's wearing it for about an hour some days.
We shall see. Anything that could help him feel calmer and safer is worth a try!
As my trip to the UK is fast approaching, George did an overnight stay at the new boarders this week. As I packed his bag and wrote out his complex medication requirements, I realised again that he's not your average dog.
I dropped him off early before work. He wasn't as keen to go in as last time. He had noticed the bag and sensed something different was happening.
I had timed it with my friend coming to visit with her 12 week old baby. It's a small house and it would have been an anxious time for everyone managing George and the baby. I also didn't want George's home to become stressful, especially just before we go away.
So the timing worked well. Although George saw me making up the bed in the spare room the night before - a further indication that something was afoot!
I picked him up after work the following day. I was nervous - I so wanted it to have gone well which would make his longer stay easier.
Apparently he did well. He was nervous on the first day but more confident on the second day, especially on the walk. He ate well and took his medications without any issues. He woke up at around 3am but they said that is not unusual on the first night.
I asked if we should squeeze in one more day before the long stay or just go for it - they recommended we go for it as he is settling well, and is familiar with the place and the people. I think they are still keeping him mostly separated from the other dogs to give him space to settle.
I am so relieved. I am very grateful for the time and patience the staff have taken to enable George to gain confidence and get accustomed to the routines.
We have come a long way in a couple of months from that first visit when he was highly anxious and barking at all the staff, despite the high volume of medication floating around in his system.
Their approach has been perfect, and we are now at a stage where I feel comfortable (well, as comfortable as I can be!) going away.
I did miss him so much, even only for one night.
He had crazy Zoomies for a while when he got home (after sniff-inspecting all the rooms - there would have been a baby smell!).
The day after I was working from home so we could (both of us!) decompress.
Now I am aiming for a calm week ahead so that we can both keep our cortisol levels down before the trip!