[nagdu] stress and nervousness

[Julie J]

Some thoughts that came to me randomly...

find some really tasty treats or a toy that she really, really likes then 
take them along when you can plan an afternoon when you have nothing else to 
do but go to the school and have fun

call up all your friends with well behaved dogs and plan a doggie party.  If 
possible get the well behaved dogs in an area where she has been nervous 
from the other dog.

heel her and use a cane to let her experience the situation without the 
added stress of guiding

find a spot to sit near where she is nervous, hang out there for a good bit 
until she shows signs of being calm

Try feeding her in a very quiet place that she feels safe in...the bathroom 
or a bedroom or her crate.

dogs are funny sometimes.  Monty was doing this thing where he'd stop for no 
apparent reason.  I finally figured out if I hold the leash in my right hand 
he wouldn't do it.  I have absolutely no idea why though.  Gradually I put 
the leash back in my left hand for longer and longer until it's always 
there.  Very weird.

Best of luck,
Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 5:01 PM
Subject: [nagdu] stress and nervousness


> All,
>
>
>
> Wondering if you all can provide some advice or suggestions. As of lately
> Emma has just been this ball of stress and nervousness. It started off 
> when
> we were at school, another service dog barked at her. Now she is so 
> stressed
> and nervous at school, her behavior is almost unbearable. She has the left
> hand side tendency thing. She does not guide well, and when I go into that
> particular office, she will literally pull me over to get out of that
> office. But now it really does not matter what or where we are going. She 
> is
> always nervous, always stressed. I went on a women's retreat this last
> weekend, and now I wish I had not taken her. She will not eat her food. I
> have to beg her to eat, because if I didn't beg or coax her some how to 
> eat,
> she never would eat. She already needs to put on some weight. We are 
> seeming
> to have more bad days than good days. I honestly do not know what to do. 
> She
> wants to work, as she is excited t go into the harness, but it's the rest
> that is driving me up the wall. I am not stressed, I am not nervous.
>
>
>
> Ok guys, give me some good suggestions and advice here.
>
>
>
> Marsha and Emma
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>