Encouraged

I am very encouraged today. I've been getting many emails in response to the posts on this page, and I am finding a great deal of support in my endeavors with Duncan. I am getting some great suggestions, and I've been doing some research on working with shy dogs. I have added a couple links to the Nav Bar of some sites I have found with good information. I have also joined a Yahoo! Group for owners of shy dogs ( Shy-K9s) and I hope to find some good information there. I have some books on hold to pick up at my local library and once I get through a few of them, I will add a suggested reading list to my Nav Bar as well for ones that I found helpful.

Most of all though, I am encouraged today by the comment left by Lynne in my previous post. Lynne adopted another Sheltie named Logan, who came into the LL Dog rescue with my Duncan. They were relinquished by the same breeder at the same time, and Lynne adopted Logan a year ago on February 26. I am excited to hear that Logan has adjusted very well over the past year; I am only sorry that my Duncan had to wait so long for me to be ready for him. But, I am hopeful that with some time and work, I will eventually be able to take Duncan to Petco for a visit of the LL Dog Rescue volunteers and perhaps meet Lynne and Logan. The idea of meeting another dog who was part of Duncan's life before he came to me is really exciting!

I hope to find a specific suggestion that I received from a friends mom regarding teaching Duncan to come to me very helpful. "Have her put a long leash on him and call him to her while she reels him in and then lavish on the praise and treats. A couple of sessions a day, every day, and it finally clicks that coming to her is nothing but a great experience." We'll start tonight!