#23 months

[pippindot]

Edi learned a cuss

[terrierthing]

eepy

[siofae]

Sound on!

Ricky was a little nervous around clipboards so we worked on it and now he’ll carry them!

[intriga-hounds]

i had just thrown this toy and it was in the process of hitting the ground but the pic makes it look like it’s alive and it’s just realizing it picked a fight it can’t win

[nakkipalkka]

[oleander-sd]

This week, I retired my dog.

As you may remember, I previously mentioned that Ollie had a seemingly bad experience at the groomers back in November. To elaborate on that, Ollie came home after nine hours with a rushed haircut, some of his coat ripped out, and a new aversion to dryer sounds and brushing. I will never know exactly what happened to him that day, as my request to see the camera footage was denied, with the staff member stating that it had already been recorded over. I will never know if this was a one-time event, or if it had happened on other occasions. Since November, I have been grooming at home, ultimately deciding to shave his body completely to limit the upkeep he requires.

I hoped with continued work, Ollie would begin to improve, and we could proceed as usual with his training. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. In addition to his issues with grooming, I have seen a regression in his "adolescent" behaviors. His attention in public has worsened, with him showing hyperawareness and concern about nearby strangers. He does not tolerate being reached for, and during our final outing, he barked at a stranger who followed us to baby talk him despite me asking to be left alone. The final straw for me was his newfound gear shyness - Ollie loves to leave the house, and continues to get excited when his collar/harness/leash is taken out, but when he is approached with gear in hand, he shies away, tail tucked. This is something I have been desperately trying to fix, but I only feel like it is getting worse.

Retiring Ollie is a heartbreaking choice to make. It has felt like a disservice to myself, as I have invested so many hours into our training and overcome so much. Losing this source of support is not easy at all, but Ollie's happiness and wellbeing truly does mean more to me than anything else, and I know deep in my heart that even if I were to successfully work through these fears and behaviors with him, he will live with this trauma for the rest of his life, and I cannot guarantee that he will ever truly love his job, or that he will not snap in a future stressful situation. I know that if someone else was in this position, I would advise them to retire, too.

I am proud of what we have done together in the almost two years I have had him. Ollie helped me recover from severe agoraphobia. He gave me the confidence to interact with the general public again. And he is, and always will be, my best friend. He has offered me countless hours of love and support, and now it's my turn to do the same for him.

I don't know how active this blog will be from now on, but I don't plan on deleting it. We may share updates on Ollie's rehabilitation, or training resources, or whatever else.

Thank you all for being here for us 🖤

[criminalmimic]

Mimic's face graying journey from 8 weeks to (almost) 2 years

[ocala-is-calling]

My little neckbeard girl 😭