Ordering a Thundershirt

Well poor Ryker has been almost impossible to train to use the doggie door.  He is so afraid of coming to people and is inconsistent at even taking treats out of your hand.  Many things no longer send him into the "circle of frenzy", yet when I least expect it, something unpredictable will induce the circling.  Taking the advise from my friend Susan who has a rescued, over reactive Vizsla she has successfully calmed with this product , I am ordering a Thundershirt.

Ironically I have purchased them as gifts for people with sketchy dogs.  The work wonderfully leaving the dog feeling secure and calm.  The weather being colder and Ryker coming from a warmer climate I'm not adverse to keeping it on him during the day.

The order has been placed; fingers crossed.  If it works then we are moving on to doggie door training.

Growth Spurt

Ryker is growing on the inside.  Today he approached me to pet him and we were NOT in the kitchen.  Last night I walked directly to his dog bed and he didn't jump off of it and run away.  He seems to have stopped lurching when he is touched and shows some type excitement over feeding time and when I come home from work.  His compulsive circling before settling has decreased from six circles to sometimes as few as three.  He will go outside straight from his dog bed instead of circling around the kitchen and then out.  He makes eye contact and looks at me when I say his name.  All of these things seem to suddenly come together this week.  It was a really good week.