Friday, March 26th

Update: Toby is taking his Reconcile (Prozac) daily. We haven't used the Xanax because no one was visiting this week. Robin was here on Tuesday for a couple hours while I was out and Toby wandered around the house with ease. He would not take any 'high value' treats from her though, until I came home. I'm training him to go on a long lead, reinforced with hot dog discs (his fave) so Robin can use it if she needs to let him out.

This has been a week of subtle changes for the better. Toby is actually happy, and animated when Ken wants to walk he and Buddy. Instead lowering his tail when the leashes come out, he is now jumping around in a little happy dance. When Ken comes home and I do the singsong 'Daddy's home, Daddy's home' - he runs to the door with Buddy and will stay to get a pat on the head. At dinner time, he will eat his whole meal, by the door, IN the kitchen, with Ken sitting there. All of these things are just becoming the routine for Toby.

I still notice a sense of calm when I put on a new DAP collar.

We had one incident. On one of our warmer days I had the door to the patio open with just the slide away screen door on it. Toby did not see the screen and ran into it. The door opened with a big noise and he ran wildly outside. Coming back in that door, which is the door to 'his' room became off limits. Of course I thought it was going to set us back. But, with coaxing with hot dog treats got him to use that door within a few hours - as opposed to a few days.

I've tried the DAP spray in the car, but it doesn't seem to make much difference - but we're not giving up.

Toby still has times when he acts startled at noises, but he's not as reactive. In the past he would run for his room and now he'll just stop in his tracks and look around. This evening on his walk, he noticed the bright moon in the sky and kept looking at it. He also watches jets fly overhead sometimes. I've only had one other dog that did that.

I'm starting to feel like some of our hurdles have quietly gone away. Still more to overcome, but not so overwhelming.