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Worthy seems to have turned the corner on excited barking in public. I've done a lot of praying, and God has answered!

One thing I did is start giving him very freqnent treats for looking at me on walks in public. On cold days, my hand was freezing! Until hubby suggested a glove with a few fingers open. Ahhhh!

Then I tried moving the Gentle Leader loop off his muzzle, so that it's just a plain, flat collar. That allows me to go back to practicing retrieving with him on walks--I didn't want to ask him to retrieve while wearing that.

But it did something else that was, well, a revelation. He got calmer. It seems the Gentle Leader restraint was making him a little more exciteable. Maybe frustrated and felt an urge to bark to participate more in the world.

There's still plenty of work to do. But there's something different now. A blessing. And here it is Thanksgiving!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Kathy that is terrific! It sounds like the Gentle Leader was making Worthy a bit anxious... something I had never thought of before. What a Happy Thanksgiving for you!! Keep up the good work Worthy!!!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I didn't see any signs of anxiety in Worthy wearing the Gentle Leader, but it seems as if, oh, somehow it made him feel he needed to speak up in order to cheer people on and ra-ra when he saw a squirrel or dog or cat. Yesterday on our walk he saw a cat and barked ONCE. I praised and treated him for "Quiet." Yay, Worthy!!!

The weather getting colder razzes a dog up, and this is really a Godsend for improvement to happen now. I am so grateful!

---Kathy
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Nice to know your relationship with Worthy continues to progress. I always find it amazing what each of my dogs teach me. It sometimes takes me a bit of time to fully understand, but it's nice when we finally get it.

Enjoy your holidays with Worthy.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

>>>>>I always find it amazing what each of my dogs teach me.

>>Chelle >>>>>>>>>>>>>

It is so true that every dog is different! Just like humans, there are infinite differences both in genetics and in experiences. I can't imagine ever being bored by working with a dog!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47