This video makes me so happy!
It just looks like two dogs having a lovely walk in the woods. But there is so much here to celebrate.
Bono, the Newfoundland, is quite anxious. His carer is working with a veterinarian on the medication piece, but medication alone does not solve the problems anxiety brings to his daily life. Going on walks has taken a lot of practice and problem solving.
Bono always gets to choose whether or not to walk with us. If he doesn't move towards the door after I clip his leash to his collar, he gets to stay home. Enthusiasm as we start each walk is crucial.
Bono finds petting quite reinforcing. So during walks I've been encouraging him to come back to me while Georgia sniffs. (We get quite a bit of practice because Georgia sniffs intensely for most of our walks.) I don't walk to him as I've learned that tends to make him walk even further away.
In the video, you see him come to me for some petting.
The other behavior Bono shows that makes my heart explode is that he chooses to sniff by the trail. He's engaging in the walk. He's relaxing. He's only been sniffing on walks recently. I expect to see it more often.
Bono is more of a straight ahead walker. He keeps me moving!
A beautiful day for a sniffy walk with Georgia. 😍
Tillie and Cooper enjoying post dinner chews.
I offer day sitting as a service (although I haven't figured out how to add that to the Services section). This is a great option for when you have something come up and you need someone to stop by and take care of your dog(s).
Message me for more info and pricing.
Thanks Joanne Focke Hall and Kevin Hall for asking me to look in on Cooper and Tillie.
