Falling Down on the Job

I need to get a latest photo of Spice. She gets bathed tomorrow as she has her first class tomorrow night.

Spice has not been socialized outside of the house as we should. She's gone outside, gone to Petsmart twice but it's not our usual exposure. She needs it in a big way but puppies and their health had to play a part in delaying her socialization. She didn't have all her shots so her immune system could be low and she could bring something home. Can't do that with pups. <sigh> It's hard for us as I truly believe that the mind is just as important as the body but we balance this when we have pups.

So, now we play catch-up in a big way. You can tell as today when I took her out to do lead training, she didn't like the cars. She shook and wasn't happy but she did work for treats. A treat motivated dog can play catch-up. We have been here before with Raylan who played catch-up quite fast.

Usually Spice does walks with another so she is distracted but it was just me and her, speeding cars, barking dawgs and now Nathan is at Petsmart and is not back yet. I guess he's doing a marathon of exposure. Tomorrow another exposure. More training at home and more socialization. She'll be more than fine but the first class may not be productive in ways that we hope. We shall see.

But do I feel guilty when I have to delay socialization? YEP! Sure she has exposure to a number of dawgs at home but this is her home so it's not the same for her as it would be for a visitor.

But its okay - we will get there.

PS: Her half sibling is in class too tomorrow.