Nilla, new agility star? :)

[jwestoverpug]

That's great!!

While she may not be a good candidate for many classes, especially beginner level classes where many dogs aren't focused and go off "visiting", she may be just fine in advanced level classes and even competition. I've never met Nilla, or seen how she is, but I can guarantee you she would not be the only dog with "issues", most experienced people do not allow their dogs to get in other dogs space....as long as she wasn't going to go running out of the ring after another dog she'd be fine.

Maybe do some private lessons for the very beginner stuff.

[Snifter]

Hooray for Nilla!

Maybe it might help her to focus on agility in a class with other dogs? Depends on the instructor and pupils, of course. But we in our class pretty much all keep our dogs on leash except when they are actually running the course, and then the spectators stand back so as not to attract the attention of the running dog.

[bumble]

We need Nilla agility pics!

[bosley's mom]

How wonderful the Nilla liked the agility. Do you think perhaps that by her expending her energy doing that it will help with her anxiety issues?

[Wonka & Nilla]

Do you think perhaps that by her expending her energy doing that it will help with her anxiety issues?

I wish that was the solution and I know that often works for "normal dogs." Nilla IS generally a better behaved dog with regular exercise, but that only goes so far. We've found that with Nilla, no matter how tired she is... I mean, she could look paralyzed on the couch from exhaustion, and if one of her triggers occurs, the adrenaline rush kicks in. I know people will read this and think 'well, she wasn't tired enough.' but believe me, we have completely and thoroughly exhausted her to see if that is the solution, and it doesn't seem to be. Think of it this way... say you are driving home from work and practically falling asleep at the wheel from exhaustion... suddenly, a deer runs out in front of you and you almost hit it, swerving to avoid it... you're wide awake now, aren't you? The adrenaline kicked in. That's how Nilla can be when one of her 'triggers' (a knock at the door, someone reaching for her face, etc.) happens. So, really it's more a matter of desensitization and careful management of her environment that helps her slowly get over her anxiety and aggression issues. Agility would just be something fun for her to do, since Wonka has his dancing, it'd be nice to find something Nilla really enjoys.

[bosley's mom]

I wish that was the solution and I know that often works for "normal dogs." Nilla IS generally a better behaved dog with regular exercise, but that only goes so far. We've found that with Nilla, no matter how tired she is... I mean, she could look paralyzed on the couch from exhaustion, and if one of her triggers occurs, the adrenaline rush kicks in. I know people will read this and think 'well, she wasn't tired enough.' but believe me, we have completely and thoroughly exhausted her to see if that is the solution, and it doesn't seem to be. Think of it this way... say you are driving home from work and practically falling asleep at the wheel from exhaustion... suddenly, a deer runs out in front of you and you almost hit it, swerving to avoid it... you're wide awake now, aren't you? The adrenaline kicked in. That's how Nilla can be when one of her 'triggers' (a knock at the door, someone reaching for her face, etc.) happens. So, really it's more a matter of desensitization and careful management of her environment that helps her slowly get over her anxiety and aggression issues. Agility would just be something fun for her to do, since Wonka has his dancing, it'd be nice to find something Nilla really enjoys.

I do fully understand the adrenaline issue as my horse Dakoda often times ran on adrenaline when he was having one of his "moments" and it took everything I had to control him. I applaud you for not only working through Nilla's issues but also recognizing her triggers. Nilla is very lucky to have you as a mom.