Socialising Shamas- it's finally happening!

[Shamas mom]

Shamas has finally developed enough confidence that he's not just turning tail, or having a "fit" when he sees dogs on the walk. So we're starting to socialize him. I have a Flexi lead to allow him to roam trails, and found it helps in dog interactions--it lets him move away from other dogs as I converse with owners, as his main decision-making tool is avoidance techniques. He moves off and sniffs for a while before any interaction with other dogs. If he doesn't feel like interacting, he sits facing home and waits. The Flexi lets me give him space to move away, with no pressure on the lead. and I can lock it at a mere 4inches of lead if I feel like I need control over the situation. That's been handy for teaching him a "heel" Half the time I start with it locked, and let it loose so he can sniff, but he stays put. He's learned to respond to a tap on the button and isn't pulling on the lead anymore.

The other day, we met a boxer mix and her human at Tim Hortons and walked with her for about 45 minutes.

Today, I met a rotty cross and walked a bit with him and his owner. This one is big, as it wasn't at Tim Hortons(a safe space) but actually ON the street! Apollo was being given reminders to "leave it" by his owner because he wanted desperately to come to say hi. Shamas wasn't really paying attention to him, so we decided to see what they did. I stood 20feet off, and chatted, while Shamas sniffed a tree, then as Shamas paid little attention to the dog, I walked half a block with her and went home.

 

[Charlie]

That's amazing, you have come so far with Shamas. Great work. xx

 

[Jacqui-S]

You really have come a million miles with Shamas.
Fabulous!

 

[kateincornwall]

What an uplifting post to read , well done to you both xx

 

[Shamas mom]

I'm so excited!

I never thought we'd get to this point with him. I even let him off leash a couple of weeks ago, out in the woods. I kept an eye out for other walkers, and when I saw other dogs, I asked him to sit, and we just clipped his leash on him......like a normal dog.

There was once a time I was sure he'd never in his life be allowed to roam off-leash

While I don't like dog parks for socialising, I put that achievement down to the times we went to the dog park. He got used to dogs coming in and out of the area, and he got used to being called back to me when dogs came out of the woods.

 

[Atemas]

You have and are doing an amazing job - well done you and Shamas

 

[Candy]

Well done! Lovely to read!

 

[UncleBob]

Well done. That really is excellent progress.

 

[Beanwood]

Your delight with Shamas is literally bursting through your thread. Thrilled for you both, well done!

 

[Oberon]

Fabulous job!!!!

 

[Lisa]

Wonderful!! You’ve done a marvellous job with him!

 

[Lab_adore]

I was so very happy to read this @Shamas mom

 

[Cath]

Great work both of you, well done

 

[Joy]

Well done!

 

[Loraseal]

Well done to both of you!
I can feel your delight in your written words!

 

[MellowYellow]

That is excellent, well done and all down to your hard work. Good boy Shamas!!!

 

[jazzmynn]

Well done to both of you!

 

[Stacia]

Very well done, it is not an easy task.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Congratulations, this is huge progress!

 

[Naya]

This is so nice to read. Brought a smile to my face