Friday, March 5th

This week we have worked on using treats to go in and out the door, which Toby looks forward to. I've used Xanax a couple evenings when Ken comes home, but it isn't as effective as me giving out 'high value' treats when standing near Ken. With this I can initiate Toby being near Ken to get attention and slowly move away - with Toby staying and enjoying it. His tail will remain relaxed and not tuck under. I also did this with Robin, who is at our home every week and Toby is responding very well. It's almost as if I give him the reinforcement that being near Robin is okay (and rewarding) he's game.

It seems that after our meeting on Monday with Dr. DePorter and Ken in the room, Toby may have decided that Ken was part of his circle of 'safe people' when faced with strangers in a strange situation.

Over the weekend I'm going to have Ken try the door exercise and see if that makes any difference. Also, I am going to figure out a way to have fresh treats upstairs in our bedroom. There is a glimmer of hope, but we still need work on his being comfortable with Ken and I going in and out with the morning routine.

This morning I walked back into our bedroom, after our morning routine of Toby jumping up for his 'good snuggles' and then his laying down for a rest after eating his breakfast. I expected to see Toby asleep next to the bed...instead, there he was standing with his front paws on the bed with his head on my pillow doing his good snuggle!!! He must have been devising a plan to steal the pillow or lost in thought because he did not hear me.

Also, I ordered the DAP spray and it should arrive today. I'm going to try it in the car just sitting with him and giving some of our high value treats.