Help! Afraid in the stairwell

[WhoopsaDaisy]

No need to play with it; for example, I can just hold a ball in my hand and Cookie will turn all his attention to it; for him, that ball is everything that exists in that moment. He doesn't care if there are passers-by or other dogs, etc. You can give it to her when you arrive to your apartment as a reward for being a good girl

I don't think Daisy likes toys as much as Cookie! I could try it with a frisbee I guess!

[Berna]

Try with something she really likes. If it's food, try that.

[charliebbarkin]

What about an extra special food like hot dogs or freeze dried liver? K9 magic if you can get it or dehydrated stuff like turkey hearts or beef liver. That stinks. But under 30 days to go. You'll get through it.

[WhoopsaDaisy]

What about an extra special food like hot dogs or freeze dried liver? K9 magic if you can get it or dehydrated stuff like turkey hearts or beef liver. That stinks. But under 30 days to go. You'll get through it.

I tried some of that dog food in a log stuff I had in my freezer tonight. She didn't even snort in the hallway and was totally focused in me. But I didn't have any neighbors come to test how much it really works! Hopefully it make keeps getting better. No luck on the house front at all.

[Berna]

That's great, just keep it up!

[WhoopsaDaisy]

I'm concerned her behavior in the stairwell is not getting any better. I'm afraid it's going to get worse-- so far it's just embarrassing. Using lots and lots of treats.My appointment with her personal trainer is not until the 6th. I may end up moving back in with my parents but they have to make room and get rid of all of my little brothers stuff. And they are not very thrilled bc Daisy chases cats including my cat Tucker. I promised I would work on the cat chasing but honestly there is a part of me that is not sure that is something that can be fixed? Is it?

[doubledip1]

I'm concerned her behavior in the stairwell is not getting any better. I'm afraid it's going to get worse-- so far it's just embarrassing. Using lots and lots of treats.My appointment with her personal trainer is not until the 6th. I may end up moving back in with my parents but they have to make room and get rid of all of my little brothers stuff. And they are not very thrilled bc Daisy chases cats including my cat Tucker. I promised I would work on the cat chasing but honestly there is a part of me that is not sure that is something that can be fixed? Is it?

Luna will chase our cat, Gracie, if Gracie runs. She used to chase her ALL the time but now Gracie learned that if she walks calmly, Luna will leave her alone. Another HUGE help is to take off any cat collars so the dog can't hear the cat coming. We also have a separate room baby-gated off that's JUST the cat's space which really helps Gracie relax. But a firm "no!" and if she keeps pestering, a light spank on the rump seems to do the trick, at least for us. And treat like hell when they're sitting nicely around the cat, watching the cat walk and not chasing, etc.

[sparky]

I wish we could help but Mocha still will not go down our stairs. Treats, toys, nothing will make him brave the terror of the stairs!!! We cannot figure what the fear/ trepidation of the stairs is but....

[WhoopsaDaisy]

Well tonight I tried cutting off bigger chunks of treats... I just thought I'd try it bc I watched a part of a Susan Garrett video where she suggested that over excited dogs (and I think that's what she is in the stairwell) need more food to calm down. I usually do really small treats.
So I cut off huge chunks of that natural balance role and I thought she may have been just a *smidge* better tonight. She didn't get super crazy when she saw the neighbor smoking outside the door- but it may have been bc she's met him before. But normally I think she would have gotten more worked up about seeing somebody in the vicinity of the stairwell. I'm going to keep trying it and hope it really helps... As far as the cats go she tried to chase Tucker a couple of times last night... But feeling more positive tonight ... Anything can be worked on right??!

[MikeLynn]

Guess you're right, it just takes time, a lot of patience, and, most of the time, the right trick. They're are very different and what works for one doesn't have to work for another. Hope that, probably to your amazement, in no time you'll find something really simple that works miracles and you'll be surprised that you didn't think of it sooner. Good luck to both of you