Had the behaviourist out to Willis & Phoebe yesterday. I have to admit to being cynical in advance of his arrival, but I feel very positive about what he had to say and the exercises he has given us. Willis really liked him - which is a big thing - and even Phoebe eventually took a treat off him once she was completely positive he hadn't poisoned it :D

He was very impressed with how the dogs are with the older children, (Zack was walking around with a box of biscuits :) ) and he gave us the following exercises to begin integrating us all socially - all of which I think are very sensible. I feel very positive about the whole experience:

1. He thinks the dogs, particularly Willis, are very anxious and worried about the new arrival - as opposed to thinking Archie is a prey item. He watched their behaviour with me and their reactions to Archie to come to that conclusion. He has suggested a DAP diffuser in the dogs room.
2. Collars for both - despite my protestations that the Danies are organic and free spirits :D
3. New, clean leads for use in the house when we start to "socially integrate" them with Archie. These should be leads that are only used in the house so that Willis breaks that "rope lead = walk" association.
4. We have to start by walking them in the field as usual, then bringing them in to our room separately and sitting with them whilst they lie down on their own bed in the front room, on the lead. When they are happy to be in the room on the lead and settled with one of us, the other should bring in a sleeping Archie and sit at the opposite end of the room. Any reaction should be just dealt with quietly "Its all right lad, lie down good lad".
5. We also have to take a Danie out with us when we go for a walk with Archie - another way to integrate them.

He was very astute with his observations. He noted straight away that Will is definitely my dog and didn't once criticise me for spoiling him or over-fussing him etc "you are very tactile with him" :D . He was impressed with Willis on the lead (once he got back on his feet after Will bolted out the door with him clinging onto the lead handle :D ), and didn't want to discourage Willis carrying his lead on his walk - he simply suggested he have another one to carry whilst attached to the original.

He didn't try to change anything that we already have established, just made some suggestions to help. He came out for a walk with Will and brought him back in the front room to demonstrate what we need to do - Will was a model client and did exactly what he was told - dropping to the floor to receive a treat and settling straight away on his borrowed behaviourist lead. I was sooo suprised that he was so amenable to all our little foibles and ways without trying to change things. He also discussed Will's sucking with us and said its a very common thing and we are doing the right thing in providing him a blankie to suck on - again, another reaction to stress :D

I'm converted! :D

Glad it went well Chloe. :-) Hope his suggestions help. It sounds like the guy was really helpfull!!! :D :D

If Willis likes him, thats good enough for me :D :D

Here Here!! :D :D :D

I'm glad its all going so well - see you were on the right tracks on your own!!

Margot

Glad it went so well I was going to ask.

My favourite bit has to be this;  Quote.

He was impressed with Willis on the lead (once he got back on his feet after Will bolted out the door with him clinging onto the lead handle

Karen

All sounds very positive Chloe :D  Great news and good luck :)

Ali

Glad it's all positive for you.

Just out of interest - as you mentioned both, did you know that you can get dap collars - has the same effect, but useful because it's effects are not confined to the room where the diffuser is.
http://www.zoobialcompany.com

Great news kid ;)  Now even although you didn't know it you're practically a behaviourist anyway :P 

Seriously, must be a huge relief that he didn't want to make any radical or hugely impractical alterations to your usual routine -  will be rooting for you that the slight changes make a big difference.

Good luck to all, Teri x

That sounds excellent, I believe one of the marks of a good behaviourist is being able to accept the family "ways" and work with them; that way success is much more likely ;)
Great news that Willis and Phoebe approved too..... :P

DAP diffusers are very good, I have used them when Banya was anxious over fireworks.
Keep us updated with how things go Chloe!

Lindsay
x

This is great news Chloe. It must also be reassuring to know that you have been doing everything right and a little extra encouragment from a proffessional gives a positive pleasure. :) 

Still cant get that picture of Willis with a 'blankie' out of my head though :D  (how will this affect is street cred) ;)

Excellent! A couple of mine get anxious about change - Beetle becomes very clingy and Harry gets very bouncy and demanding - if he was the size of Willis it'd be a nightmare! It's good to know you were on the right track anyway, but now know how to take it further.

Sound like he was better than your Barking Bitches! ;) :D :D

Fantastic news :-) I'm so pleased for you :-D

Hi Chloe,

That's great news!! :-)

It is a also a good sign of a behaviourist that he is just putting a few simple things in place. Maybe as time goes by and you progress, he may get you to implement a few more things. The critical thing is to have small, achievable steps.

Don't be afraid to go back to him to ask him any queries in the first instance.

All the best,
Patty

Excellent news :D

Lucy
xx

Wonderful news :D :D :D