During a moment of anxiety.
Originally uploaded by Adventures In Trucking

Holy Cow! Is it hot and humid in Houston! We woke up this morning and took Willie for walk and it was like walking through a steam room.

Everything we’ve read says Willie’s separation anxiety doesn’t get better with time. Our load that was going to keep us moving, canceled. We are probably here for at least the weekend. Whatever his problem is may not be from separation, since he goes nuts even when one of us is sitting right next to him. Then he started going nuts when we were visiting a friend’s house and one of them went outside for a minute. It may be more of a dominance thing and not due to separation or fear of being left alone.

We have probably not been successful in instilling in his little self, that we’re the boss, not him. The Dog Whisperer says, dogs need excerise, discipline and love. We are starting over with that.

Walk, Walk, Walk.

We woke up this morning and went for a walk. Even before the walk I tried to keep him in a calm and submissive state (yeah, right!). I made him sit and be calm before I opened the door. He usually starts going nuts when the door is opened, so I hurried and picked him up and got out of the truck before he started his fit.

We are walking the dog, the dog isn’t walking us.

We kept him on a short leash and tried to keep him beside us. Behind us wasn’t really working, but anytime he got too far in front he got a little jerk. He goes nuts around other dogs and birds. He was straining so hard and getting into the “Red Zone”, I picked him up, got face to face and yelled, “No!” Put him down and he was okay. Not perfect, but okay.

Wear ‘em down

Toward the end of the walk, he was doing great! Walking right next to us, no straining or anything, just walking. We got to the truck. He sat while I opened the door and got in. I stood outside while he stared at me from the floor of the truck, nice and calm. Usually, he’s throwing a fit before we close the door. I should have got in at that moment, but I needed to put a lock on the trailer.

Not quite there

Then he threw his fit, scratching at the window and barking in the picture. Most books say don’t leave food out, feed them. Cesar says it’s part of the love and it also shows them who provides their food for them, when they’re good.

That’s where we are. Sitting at the truck stop, waiting.