Progress

So Chingu is making real progress. Every week we go to the trainers and every week he gets better. Sometimes though the trainer really does scare me. I dread every Tuesday at 7:30pm because I know its time to go to see Gina.

The thing about training is Gina really pushes his buttons. Each week she pushes and pushes and I know that at least once he'll bite. I absolutely hate seeing him like that but every single time the button she pushed the last week that made him bite if she does it the next week he accepts it and is fine.

But its hard to watch sometimes. He is just so sure that he's going to experience 'death by petting' and it breaks my heart. I hate that he thinks most human hands will bring him pain or discomfort and I hate to think of what his former life must have been like to make him think like that. But he's getting better and learning that touch is a good thing and if he'll just accept it he might actually enjoy himself.

This Tuesday he only tried to bite once and that was when Gina went to touch his butt. He's not a fan of that but as she said who really is? But once he settled down he actually enjoyed his butt massage. He also allowed her to handle his feet (not happily but allowed it) and wag his tail.

We've also started to visit the park and to see him now and think of what he was like just 9 weeks ago is amazing. When we used to walk and we'd see other dogs he was a barking, lunging beast who didn't care if I waived a steak in front of his face he could not be calmed down. He pulled constantly and walked nicely only when he felt like it. A big part of that is my fault because I allowed this in Korea but here there are too many dogs.

Now Chingu knows the command 'heel' and while if he sees ducks or squirrels he still wont listen the first time but he will respond. In addition he can now sit calmly and quietly while other dogs pass by and today he even did a 'down' while one passed by! Of course I am stuffing his face with hot dogs the whole time, but who cares?!

He's also started to learn on his own if he hears a dog bark to not respond but give me a 'watch me' and I've noticed now that even with dogs coming near-by or if something is coming up thats going to make him uncomfortable he'll look to me which I of course immediately click and reward. But this is huge that he's starting to look to me for guidance in these situations. Part of his problem in being fear-aggressive is he's afraid and he feels the need to protect himself. I need him to realize that if I'm present he doesn't need to be afraid and that I'll protect him. He's had to fight for survival alone long enough in this world its time for him to retire and leave that job up to me.

We still have a long way to go and Chingu will always need training and reinforcement to help him with his problems but I am super proud of him. He's come so far in such a short amount of time. When this all started I wasn't sure if I was up to the task of helping him. I didn't know if he could be helped or if I was capable enough but I feel more confident about his 'rehab' and more confident in my ability to guide him through this.