Progress on the home front was a lot slower. He appeared to be more relaxed outside when he was busy/occupied either while doing agility or playing with other dogs, but indoors ...............
A doorway was still a source of fear for him and was a problem for us as the 2 outside doors were on large hooks to enable dogs to go in and out at will without us having to get up each time they needed to go outside. He was convinced the doors were “out to get him” and would just stand there.
This presented yet another issue - Mac is the quietest dog ever! We don’t hear him on the laminated flooring and he would be standing waiting for a while before we noticed that he wanted to go outside. We just stopped getting up to open the doors and he eventually snuck though the gap. This was a huge step for him and was great to see after more than a year of living with us.
He almost never barks and gave us quite a scare when he eventually did - he was already 2 years old! He still only barks watching other dogs doing agility, or to coax another dog to play with him, but almost never in the house. What a pleasure!
He still spent all of his “home time” under my desk. I would have to call him outside to train or just to get some fresh air. I really wanted him to sit with me while I worked in the garden, but as soon as my attention was diverted, he would creep back inside again. I remember sending Lindsay a sms to let her know that Mac had ventured outside on his own accord and was lying down next to me. A beautiful moment and one that I could not acknowledge - a loud ‘‘yay!” would have sent him flying back inside.
Thanx to all the interaction he was getting with agility handlers, he was starting to warm to people visiting. He would come when called, and creep off again. He was still uncomfortable around Charlie who, unfortunately, made a comment every time Mac scuttled like a scared rabbit when they happened to pass each other in the passage; re-in forcing unwanted behaviour?!
House training was still messy! I did try and give him the house at night, but the slightest noise would make him nervous and he would choose the lounge (carpet) to let me know. Many mornings were unpleasant. “Time out” meant back to sleep in a closed study and rewards a few nights later would be with the door open again. It was during one of these nights that Mac crept into our bedroom and lay down on the floor at the base of the bed. This was a huge step for him as our bedroom door was kept open only with a soft door stopper. He had to have actually pushed the door open to get into the room.
This is today his ultimate security space in the house. It’s the room furthest away from activity and no one really knows he’s in there. But just the fact that he let me know I am his security is more than OK.
Mac and Me
C’est la vie
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