Finding Peace with Elsa

(Elsa’s owners were told by their vet that they could never have children as long as they had “vicious” Elsa)

Today we had the dreaded yearly vet visit.  Dreaded because, as I told you when I was first checking into Dialogue, Elsa is at her worst at the vet. Well, I am amazed and proud to say that Elsa made it through the vet visit without lunging to bite the vet or even growling!!!  She was definitely nervous and unhappy to be there, but she has never in all her life had a vet visit without showing at least a little aggression.  Kelly (my husband) went in with her and did so great.  I was  so happy that I wanted to just cry and hug Elsa when I heard how well she behaved.  I know she has much farther to go, but this was a huge step in the right direction. 

(The next year)

Just a quick note to let you know we had our yearly vet visit with the dogs, and it went very well again.  Two years ago (about 9 months before training with you) Elsa had a particularly hard visit with growling, attempting to bite the vet (she had a muzzle on), and losing control of both her bladder and her bowels.  This time, Elsa did not growl, try to bite, or lose control even with having a shot, blood drawn, and her paws inspected between the toes.  We still had the nose ribbon (fabric muzzle) on, of course. 

When Kelly was at the vet visit and was in with our other dog, Timber, he mentioned that we had been doing training with the dogs. Kelly then practiced with Timber at the end of the visit to show the vet what Timber could do.  The vet watched for awhile and was impressed. He asked Kelly for your name!! Kelly told him, and then the vet asked him to call the office with your contact information.  So we did just that, including your web address and name of your book!  Good news, huh?  Maybe they will see how much Dialogue works and refer some people. Thanks again for helping us find a way to help our dogs be the best they can be.  And thank you most of all for helping me believe that our precious Elsa IS a good dog and that we can make progress with her (and Timber, too).

The biggest accomplishment for her this summer was a change in her attitude toward visitors. We only had a few chances to experiment with this (with people we knew would feel comfortable enduring her barking at them). Well, we had a couple over for dinner, and after we ate, we decided it was time for them to meet the dogs. We had Timber meet them first, and then Elsa came up. She walked by them, sniffed the air and them, and that was about it. She never barked, and she let them pet her within a few minutes. We still could not believe it. I thought for sure she would start barking when they got up from the table and she saw that they were people she did not know. Nope, she was fine. We even went outside with our guests and played Frisbee with the dogs. I also had a friend over whom Elsa had not seen in about a year or so. When we let Elsa up from the basement, she didn't bark at her either. She was a little jumpy and hesitant to be petted immediately, so our friend just ignored her, let Elsa sniff her, and soon Elsa was begging for pets and wanted to give kisses to our friend. We are VERY pleased with this development. We know we will always need to be careful with how she meets people (as with Timber or any dog)—to make sure the person does not try to get close too quickly, but it was such a joy to have her trust us to tell her that these people were okay and she was still safe.

I know that the way of thinking about our dogs that you taught us has helped Elsa to be more secure, confident, and relaxed. My husband has commented on how much more loving she is now. It's true—and I have noticed how when she is being petted she seems happier and less tense than she used to seem.

Thank you so much for teaching us how to relate to Elsa and help her with her fear. Thank you, thank you!!!                                                                                                              

(Three years later)

The first month after we brought our baby boy home was hard with Elsa.  You may remember me calling you and crying.  She didn't try to bite or hurt him but she was very nervous around him and wanted to sniff at, jump up on, and nose him constantly.  The trick seemed to be putting the nose ribbon on her when she was around him.  That seemed to calm her down and she learned how to relax around him.  After a few weeks of that she was fine.  This, of course, in conjunction with Dialogue.

Elsa is really wonderful with my son.  (Timber is too.) Of course, we are still careful and have been busy teaching him how to pet dogs gently, not to pull ears or tails or fur, etc.  Basic respect for dogs.  He is almost 18 months old.  He just loves dogs, has gotten to be around lots of them, and is doing great with gently petting them!  He notices dogs any time he hears a bark in the neighborhood or sees one, and sticks out his tongue and pants (his sign for "dog") to let us know what he hears or sees.  Obviously, he has had good experiences with our dogs. 

Anyway, the other night he started to pet Elsa while she was chewing on a nylabone and she did not react at all.  (We are also trying to teach him to not go near dogs with food or bones since many dogs have issues with that.)  Then, before I could stop him he suddenly threw his arms around Elsa's head and sort of screeched in glee.  This is while Elsa was chewing on her nylabone.  What did she do....?  She licked his face.   She didn't seem shaken by it at all.  I am so proud of her.  She has a ways to go with the stranger issue but she is doing great with our family.  She is a beautiful and loving dog.

Tiffiney, Colorado