After 5 months of Winter...

... We headed out yesterday for a nice walk. I was worried that 5 months of minimal exposure to triggers would have set Rhiya back, but I was oh so wrong.  My 2.5 mile walk with Rhiya was actually MORE peaceful and relaxing than the walk with Dallas, Ben (the fiance) and Samantha. I was completely shocked, and SO VERY proud of my girl.

We set out with an OVERFLOWING treat bag on my right hip and Rhiya walking calmly on my left. At the end of the 2nd block, we were walking down the middle of the street because there were dogs barking behind fences on both sides of us... I put her in a Sit-Stay and gave her the watch me command. She would look at me, and look back towards the barking dogs. she was panting pretty heavily, so I knew she was nervous. I decided to try to get her to do some tricks (wave, shake, etc.) to get her focus on something other than the dogs. To my surprise she did all of them! there were only TWO instances where she barked at a dog... but she only barked once each time and then I was able to get her to sit and focus on me and do some more tricks before we passed by the dogs with no outbursts. 

I'm so happy the weather is turning nice again. I have missed being out with my girl and working with her to overcome her fears. Stay tuned for more updates to come. Sorry we've been absent for the last few months.