When Your Energy Goes Bad...

A week and a half ago, the Wednesday after Chica's stitches came out, I took her for a walk after work.  It was a beautiful afternoon and she was just as anxious as I was to get out for a bit.  We made it up to the corner of Ashland and as we were making the turn onto Bryant we ran into the same pitbull we met Easter Sunday.  Everything was fine for a few seconds, then I felt myself tense for some reason, and then the pitbull latched onto Chica's right ear. She screamed and screamed and it seemed like it took forever to get the other dog off her.  Her owner walked away with a bloody nailbed from it and Chica had a tiny cut on her ear that I was able to clean with an antiseptic wipe when we got home.  But once again I forgot everything Cesar taught me.  I didn't think to touch the pitbull to try to distract it and get it to let go of Chica.  Of course, that might have meant I was the one that ended up in the ER.  And I didn't make the pitbull lie on its side, either.  I did not make a fuss over Chica once she was free.  I did check her for injury, but that was all.  I made her stay there until she stopped shaking and her tail relaxed and started wagging again.  She even went over to smell one of the other owners before we all continued on our way.  As a result, there has been no drama when we've walked past that spot again. 

And since that time, we've gone for two pack walks with the dogs across the hall, both of which have gone really, really well...until we get back to our apartments.  Enubis came near our door and Chica's hair went up and she started growling.  This is one of a very few areas we need to work on, but it's a BIG one if we're going to bring a puppy home in July! 

Now, before I can work on Chica any further, I need to work on myself.  I have not been able to shake the tension I've been feeling.  I thought it would go away when I passed my test, but it hasn't, so I've called in some help.  I ordered a Meditation DVD and Cesar's Mastering Leadership series.  I've also finished "Cesar's Way" and am on to "Cesar's Rules."  That will just leave me with "Be the Pack Leader".  I don't know what I'll do when I finish his books because I don't think he has any others coming out.  I'll have to be content with "Cesar's Way" magazine...at least until the Summer season of "Dog Whisper" starts.

So here are the things I need to work on this Summer:

1)  Mastering relaxation techniques
2)  Getting into a routine of going to bed at 10:00 and getting up at 5:00 to get a walk in before work
3)  Puppy proofing the apartment
4)  Mastering the walk
5)  Recognizing and reading energy
6)  Practicing Exercise, Discipline, Affection

And here are the things we need to work on with Chica this Summer:

1)  Continue our socialization efforts
2)  Anxiety when she first gets in the car
3)  Possessiveness of the apartment
4)  Mastering the formal walk
5)  Anxiety around traffic and other noises
6)  Anxiety at new places

It's going to be a busy, fun Summer as I leave my insurance classes behind and go to dog classes instead.  Somehow I think that will be more fun!