The response to my response to the Sophie incident

Just wanted to let you know that she had a MUCH improved day today. Timmy and I have adopted your approach, and I am cautiosly optimistic. Repetition remains the key with her, it seems. We have allowed her NO slack whatsoever, and her entire demeanor seems changed.

I will sleep better tonight.

Over and out,

the Young Jedi

Isn't she the cutest thing ever? Here's what I said next...

I'm happy to give you better sleep.

So did she actually bite you or what? Did she keep biting you or did she just flail all over? Did she snap and release or hold on? V. important.

Keep up with the protocol but if she does get something that she thinks is valuable, pretend it's no big deal. Don't try to take it away, don't even move towards her while she has it. If anything, get a
treat and call her over as if you were just normally calling her into the other room. Ask her to sit when
she gets there, just to get her train of thought onto something neutral. Just be safe and try not to react to her. Pretend it's no big deal. Do something funny to make her happy.

You were right for not running away from her when the ape attack happened. It would have reinforced the whole behavior because she'd have known that it worked. I know it's totally difficult to think when a dog is reacting the way she did. If you can remember to be calm and pretend there's nothing even happening, it will help to avoid a confrontation. This is just damage control- it won't take the behavior away, it will just make the event less charged.

The protocols are for long term, if you're unsure of something I wrote, just let me know. The important thing at this point is to create a "sophie song" that makes her happy in a neutral situation (i.e. when you're washing dishes, sitting on the couch, whenever.) Follow the song with a treat and some loving, whatever she likes. You will eventually use the song during possessive episodes to get her to shift focus and think happy thoughts. Concentrate on building that song for awhile until you
get a solidly great reaction every time you sing it. Let me know when you get there and we'll go further then.

may the force be with you....
m

More from Sophie's mom...

Hi. I honestly do not remember the details of the biting - blocking it out, maybe. I think she was snapping and releasing - she did not hurt me at all - no broken skin, not even a scratch. Looking back, I think she felt very threatened and scared - we kind of had her backed in a corner. I am
sure she could have broken bones in my hand if she wanted to. What does it mean?

Continuing with the protocol. I am sure it did not help that while at home, my parents were very lax with her. I noticed she got very stubborn regarding sitting, etc. while there. I think she felt she had an inch and she took a mile. My fault for not insisting my parents reinforced the proper behavior.

She is now scared to go into the backyard for some reason, but whatever. At
least she does her business while on walks now........

Thanks as always.

Princess Leia