southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
You'll remember she needed darting at one point to treat a painful mouth abcess, and I was despairing of her ever improving/becoming less scared of humans.
Well....all of a sudden, she did improve!
Towards the end of last summer I noticed her being less suspicious of me when I went to bring them in. I usually bring them in together and always have Bo on my right side (most likely to get up to shenanigans), and Cookie on my left. I noticed that instead of standing a little way away and flinching when I went to catch her, she started coming over and standing on my left side waiting for me to clip her lead rope on.
Basically, since then she's improved in all areas. She now comes when I call her and is happy to be stroked and groomed. She chatters away to me when I'm doing jobs in the field.
She is much happier having her feet done, although still doesn't like having back feet rasped.
She's had her teeth done twice now, thanks to a very patient and wonderful dental specialist vet. She's still absolutely terrified of vets but he somehow manages to get her sedated when she pauses running circles round him for a moment. He doesn't like upsetting her though so we're going to have another go with some ACP tablets before he arrives next time.
It's taken 5+ years to get to this point. The only thing I've done differently is randomly slip her the odd polo! I've also deployed a forbidden Lickit for feet trimming....so basically bribery i suppose, but it makes me so happy to see her so much more relaxed!
Well....all of a sudden, she did improve!
Towards the end of last summer I noticed her being less suspicious of me when I went to bring them in. I usually bring them in together and always have Bo on my right side (most likely to get up to shenanigans), and Cookie on my left. I noticed that instead of standing a little way away and flinching when I went to catch her, she started coming over and standing on my left side waiting for me to clip her lead rope on.
Basically, since then she's improved in all areas. She now comes when I call her and is happy to be stroked and groomed. She chatters away to me when I'm doing jobs in the field.
She is much happier having her feet done, although still doesn't like having back feet rasped.
She's had her teeth done twice now, thanks to a very patient and wonderful dental specialist vet. She's still absolutely terrified of vets but he somehow manages to get her sedated when she pauses running circles round him for a moment. He doesn't like upsetting her though so we're going to have another go with some ACP tablets before he arrives next time.
It's taken 5+ years to get to this point. The only thing I've done differently is randomly slip her the odd polo! I've also deployed a forbidden Lickit for feet trimming....so basically bribery i suppose, but it makes me so happy to see her so much more relaxed!
