sunday

yesterday we went to petsmart to work with vi. the trainer there, Carey, helped us determine that Violet is very sound-sensitive, which I had not noticed on my own, I think because she's less so at home. Our tasks this week from her are to go to Riverside park and hang out for 10 minutes in the parking lot, paying attention to what sounds and things alert little vi. there should be ball games and maybe some dogs and lots of people about. the other thing we need to work on is dissecting the dog. that is violet uses various cues to know there is a dog. one of these is dog tags. so i am supposed to sneakily shake some dog tags in the house (while not allowing her to associate them with me). I will do this repeatedly and at different intensities and ranges, hopefully until it is no longer arousing. that way, when she hears dog tags, she won't necessarily think DOG! and be on high alert.

today we went to mom's house and hung out. violet hung out on the rug in the kitchen because mom's cat Gus (see photo!) is a big meanie and is mean to little vi. she was scared and trembling! very sad and pitiful and cute. mom let us borrow Milo's old tags to practice with. Good ol' schmodie is still helping us yet!

I have been taking more silly too close photos of vi. she is very patient.

Vi's crate time today didn't go very well. she's all amped about it. she didn't eat the whole darn hour she was in there, but did once she got out. grrrr. just chill! but no, she barks, whines, yowls, yips adn paws the wall and door. ay. pain in my arse! she seems more calm when i am not within sight. sometimes i get up and walk away when she gets nutty because she's trying for my attention. i know i should ignore her, but i have to get up and leave the room (while ignoring...) oh well. sundays are tough because it's two days in a row where she hasn't gotten to run wild. still, nights are going very well. she stays in the room and on the crate all the night and for a few days now. it's nice to deal with the dramatic dog at dinnertime instead of bedtime. i, for one, have more patience.