Goals, Plans, and Moving

What are my goals for Dog?

1. To show less fear around people in general.

2. To understand how to react to a wobbely, loud, rambunctious toddler.

How is he acting around people and my toddler now?

Dog on most occassions backs away from strangers who come to close. He shows many signs of being afraid. For example licking his lips, tail underneath him, seeing the whites of his eyes.

He, so far, has made great strides with my toddler. At first Dog didn't know what to think of my new little baby. He would sniff her lay down by her occassionally, but as she started crawling he became afraid of her. My little girl follows him around, wants to snuggle in close to him, sometimes will pull his fur, and squeals in delight as she walks up to him. Dog has never seen this behavior from anyone before, so naturally he has no idea how to react. I'm sure he feels very threatened by all of the behaviors he's been put through with my little girl. His reactions so far have not been good, but have improved. He at first would growl, and then would show his teeth. However, I never let the two out of my sight and have told Dog no! and removed him from the situation as soon as anything has happened. Dog is very motivated by wanting to get everything right. I have noticed that saying a firm No! usually does the trick, and then putting him somewhere by himself for a few minutes works well.  He is now letting my little girl pet him, and he walks up to her willingly. These are huge strides for him. Especially when he walks up to her on his own and touches her with his nose. In my opinion it's a great sign that he beginning to accept her.

My plan so far has been to desensitize him, and build his confidence. With strangers, at this point I allow people to walk up to him, but not pet him unless he walks up to them. With my toddler, there are many different things I am trying. I give him treats and lots of attention whenever my toddler pets him and plays with him. My toddler is learning not to give him hugs, scream while walking up to him and not to pull his fur. Whenever dog responds to my toddler in a good way he is praised. A good response would be to see signs of being relxed, and walking up to her himself. I am also taking the two for walks together, and am involving my toddler in training sessions with Dog. My toddler can give Dog hand signals for sit and  shake.  She also can give him a treat when he does what she asks. After walks she also gives him treats.

Last and not least we have recently moved, and all is going well. Dog is transitioning from an apartment with a yard to an apartment without a yard well. I think he's liking exploring new places instead of going out into a yard to go to the bathroom.  Plus meeting other dogs in the complex has been fun.