Today, I brought Kitsune with me to Intermediate obedience class instead of Juju. (I swap them every other week) I leave Kitsune at home on the Saturday's that my roommate doesn't have class, since her separation anxiety is so bad. Yes, Kitsune still whines and cries, but at least she has somebody with her.
She was her normal self (outside her home environment); tense, snappy and not all focused.
It's so frustrating because she used to be the perfect dog! Well, close to perfect. Or (and I hate to sound so stereotypical Shiba owner...) perfect, for a Shiba. David and I worked our asses off when we got her. (She's OUR first dog!) We vigorously exercised her, had her on a very strict schedule, and heavily socialized her by taking her everywhere with us & taking her to the dog park five days a week. We read all the "Shiba stereotypes" and wanted to make sure she was NONE of them... well, at least the negative ones. We read that Shibas are known to be weary of strangers, dog aggressive, mouthy, etc. She has always been wonderful with people (as much as I hate Petland for having "puppy mill puppies" I do have to say, one good thing is that their puppies are very well people-socialized since so many people go in there to play with them), and played well with other dogs (whether it be a Maltese or a Great Dane). Then, one day she got attacked by five dogs, and well, she started becoming fearful, pretty much of the world.
When she's at home, she's great. Yes, sometimes she has random spurts of energy, but other than that (and her separation anxiety), she's a great dog overall. When I take her out on walks and we run into other dogs (or at Petsmart when I buy supplies or during obedience class), she tenses up, ears back, head low, shakes sometimes, and if a dog gets too close, she snaps! It's hard to describe... not so much like a "BITE" but more like, a quick HEY back off. But, of course it's embarrassing to me (I want to be a responsible dog owner!) and other owners make freak out, even though she's small.
The biggest reason why I'm so frustrated is because I work my ass off to train and socialize her. And, I shouldn't really care what others think, but I'll admit it; I do. When I bring her out, and have to hold her leash tight so she stays close, and owners walk by wondering why I'm holding a little dog back as if she were vicious, I'm embarrassed. I hate having to tell people "my dog's not nice" (because she really is!!!) but sometimes it's the only way they will back off and give her space. Usually, if I tell them that my dog is a little nervous and skiddish around other dogs, they continue to push their dog in Kitsune's face, and say, "he just wants to say hello." Well, my dog doesn't want to say hello. I don't want to avoid all dogs, because that's just avoiding the issues, but I'm at a loss.
What do I do?
With all that, I haven't even begun to write about Juju. I love that dog to death! I really do. And I feel so guilty for all the times I blamed her for Kitsune's behavioral issues, and how I threatened to give her away or drop her off at the pound. That was just moments of weakness and placing the blame somewhere else. I would have been HEARTBROKEN (David and Kitsune too!) if I really would have given her up. It's definitely harder having two dogs, let alone, two Shiba Inus. Not because it's double the cost, but because behavioral issues CAN and WILL come up, and it may turn another dog's training backwards. I think it would be easier if David was home, but it was MY idea to get Shiba #2 so quickly. So, I have to suck it up, and deal with it. I just have to *BREATHE* and be calm and assertive (I love you Cesar Millan!), instead of being highstrung, bitchy and constantly tense.
There's a lot more I want to write, but I'll have to stop now. I can hear Juju running around like a little maniac downstairs, and poor Kitsune has the squirts. I bought a roll of the treats that Carol (dog trainer) uses, but I think it's a little too meaty for Kitsune, because she has diarrhea now. I should have just started off giving her a little bit, but I put chunks in their dinner tonight, and have been very generous with treats tonight. Hopefully no poopie accidents in the house tonight *fingers crossed.
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