This is one of our biggest challenges, if not the biggest.
We live in the middle of a small block of townhouses. There’s a narrow shared pathway that leads out to a small shared carpark. There’s no other entrance or exit, although we are fortunate to have a small enclosed garden at the back.
George is very reactive in the path and carpark. He hyper-ventilates, pulls/lunges, and is on super high alert, even when we don’t see anyone.
While trialling different medications, he’ll be pretty drowsy at home, but as soon as we step outside, it’s like he hasn’t taken anything at all.
The neighbours who have been here a while are very understanding and give us space. I dropped off a box of chocolates and a card explaining some of our issues in the early days.
We’ve recently had two new sets of neighbours move in — always stressful — but so far, we haven’t had any challenging encounters.
We’ve tried various things to help manage this space and reduce George’s stress.
Obviously, we try to leave and return at quieter times. Weirdly, I know roughly when the neighbours leave and get home from work. I pick George up from daycare slightly later when it’s less likely we’ll run into the families.
I’ve tried treats and rewards but, after a scary choking incident, I’m hesitant to use any food in this space given George’s breathing and stress levels.
It’s far too narrow and unpredictable a space to try any desensitisation work at the moment.
I bought a Thundercap, which dims his vision. Blocking the visual trigger is helpful, even though he obviously knows it’s there. But it’s not very comfortable for him — despite gentle desensitisation — and the logistics are tricky.
I don’t want him to wear it for long, so do I pull over somewhere before home and put it on him? I’m not quite sure how that will work in practice, especially given George is on high alert when the car stops.
I’ve bought a couple of breathable muslin cloths but need to think through the logistics. Given blocking the visual trigger seems to really calm him, I’m not averse to chucking a cloth on his head if it helps!
I’ve been using a big wooden spoon covered in peanut butter, which has been helpful. Sometimes he’s too on edge to be interested, but I think it’s slowly (very slowly) starting to show him that this can be a positive space.
The peanut butter spoon has the added benefit of giving him some decompression once we’re safely inside — he always does a big shake-off, which shows how stressful he found it.
After a bit of trial and error, I found a travel crate that I think could work. It’s not too cumbersome for me to carry, but big enough for him to be comfortable.
The idea is that the visuals are blocked and I can carry him in and out of the stressful area. I wouldn’t use it for longer journeys, but it would also help block visuals at daycare drop-off (another high-stress area).
He does have some confinement anxiety, though, so this may be a terrible idea. Given the outside area is already stressful, being confined and having less control could make it worse.
The travel crate is sitting in the corner of the living room at the moment so he can slowly get used to it.
We’re also muzzle training, for many reasons — to give us space, because it’s an important skill for all dogs to have for vet visits and emergencies, and to give the neighbours peace of mind if needed.
I continue to search for ideas to help reduce George’s stress in this area.
Unfortunately (and I have investigated), I can’t afford a home with a private entrance right now — at least not one that offers the same level of privacy we currently have at the back. One small benefit of having no other exit!
I never imagined there would be so much thought and stress involved in simply leaving or returning home. It adds pressure to every day — never mind deciding where to actually go.
I do think a private entrance would make a world of difference to George’s overall stress levels, but I’m doing my best to remain calm and positive in this space.
Deep breaths and box breathing before leaving. Scatter feeding for George. And hoping we can get through the gauntlet unscathed.