Indie's progress
Posted: 26 Apr 2014, 09:53
I'm on cloud nine today :-)
After four months I have finally, with the help of a dog behaviourist, got Indie walking off our drive and out into the big wide world. She has always been fantastic (off leash) in our local wide open park (with its woods, rivers, fields and tracks), and we bought her a Halti around 6 weeks ago and she walks on leash perfectly with it. But getting her to just walk off our drive, rather than jumping straight into the car, has been almost impossible.
A fortnight ago Wendy, the dog behaviourist suggested that, as Indie's confidence had increased so much, she would come round one evening with a bomb proof dog and attempt to get her to walk off our property and onto the prom. She managed with a lot of cajoling and a strong harness. This gave me the confidence to do it myself - that and a recommended Ruffwear harness which has a handle incorporated to be able to lift dogs over rocks and boulders etc. when on outdoor treks.
She is now walking along our lovely prom first thing in the morning, and yesterday we took her up Gummers How - tomorrow we are thinking Tarn Howes - the world is now opening up for her and we are so so pleased.
There has also been another benefit to taking her out for four hours every day, both on and off leash - her behaviour has improved, she doesn't chew the skirting anymore, she only barks when she is aware of anyone passing by and she is totally contented.
If she could talk I'm sure she would say something like 'oh wow, what have I been missing'.
Last week we also had our youngest grandson and his parents staying with us. The little one doesn't walk yet but Indie was brilliant with him - I think chocolate covered fingers helped. She didn't run off to hide and was so careful when she was near him. I'm so proud of her I just want to tell everyone - but most people would think I'd lost the plot
hope you don't mind me sharing it on here 
After four months I have finally, with the help of a dog behaviourist, got Indie walking off our drive and out into the big wide world. She has always been fantastic (off leash) in our local wide open park (with its woods, rivers, fields and tracks), and we bought her a Halti around 6 weeks ago and she walks on leash perfectly with it. But getting her to just walk off our drive, rather than jumping straight into the car, has been almost impossible.
A fortnight ago Wendy, the dog behaviourist suggested that, as Indie's confidence had increased so much, she would come round one evening with a bomb proof dog and attempt to get her to walk off our property and onto the prom. She managed with a lot of cajoling and a strong harness. This gave me the confidence to do it myself - that and a recommended Ruffwear harness which has a handle incorporated to be able to lift dogs over rocks and boulders etc. when on outdoor treks.
She is now walking along our lovely prom first thing in the morning, and yesterday we took her up Gummers How - tomorrow we are thinking Tarn Howes - the world is now opening up for her and we are so so pleased.
There has also been another benefit to taking her out for four hours every day, both on and off leash - her behaviour has improved, she doesn't chew the skirting anymore, she only barks when she is aware of anyone passing by and she is totally contented.
If she could talk I'm sure she would say something like 'oh wow, what have I been missing'.
Last week we also had our youngest grandson and his parents staying with us. The little one doesn't walk yet but Indie was brilliant with him - I think chocolate covered fingers helped. She didn't run off to hide and was so careful when she was near him. I'm so proud of her I just want to tell everyone - but most people would think I'd lost the plot
hope you don't mind me sharing it on here 
Yea! Well done Indie - and well done Ruth, your commitment and persistence is paying off, the world is your lovely girls oyster!!
the life she should have and really helping her to overcome her fears, well done for not giving up on her. Getting her out of your drive and on to the Prom was a real achievement and I'm sure she will slowly become desensitised to all the traffic, people etc.