Just call me "Shorty the Dog Whisperer". About two weeks ago my faithful pooch, Sir Beauregard developed a food/water bowl phobia. I have NO idea why. Post traumatic stress syndrome, maybe (our pit bull found a new home with someone else-don't hate, all you dog rescuers, it was absolutely necessary). Well, anyway, with a lot of patience and positive reinforcement, he is slowly overcoming his phobia. He had actually started to get a little dehydrated, but he's good to go, now. Thank God!
I don't often ring my own bell, but I'm proud to have been part of Sir Beauregard's recovery. When I adopted him 6 years ago he was about 5 years old, a total mess, and was near euthanasia. He had been in three homes and at the Jack Russell rescue twice. He had severe separation anxiety and would tear up the house and urinate on the furniture if left alone, but now I can leave him alone in the house with NO problem (he still panics if left in a crate, sometimes...go figure). He was scared of every noise, and person (except me-he took to me immediately) that came near, sending him into a panic and either marking furniture (a fear response, btw), or rolling over on his back and urinating all over himself. On a scale of 1-5, in the beginning he was less than a 1. Today? He's a 4. It was a year before he ever barked or made a sound of any kind. It was just as long before he would take a bone or toy.
We human's don't realize how much OUR short comings AND strengths effect our pets. If your pet is unruly and kooky...look at yourself in the mirror. We have to be the pack leader, and in order to be the pack leader, we must act like one. If we don't lead our dogs, they will train us.
