Another break-through for Flash today... two planned off lead encounters! It's about 2 years now that Flash hasn't been off lead when there were other dogs around because of his aggression towards them which was caused by severe back pain due to a dry disc in his back. Over the last year or so, with lots of training on walks (when we saw dogs from a distance), he started improving whilst on lead and on a couple of occasions when we came upon dogs unexpectely, he didn't react. (That actually happened last week at night when I didn't see a dog in the distance). Over the last few months, he's said hello to a few dogs nicely whilst on lead.
Today, I was finally confident enough to let him off lead when there were two other dogs around. Dylan had already said hello to them and they were confident with good body language... so I bit the bullet and let Flash off (whilst Dylan on lead). AND... HE WAS AMAZING! He first watched one from the distance, then ran past him, then went up to him calmly - a little insecure, but with perfectly appropriate and non-aggressive body language. When the second dog trotted past him, he had a quick sniff and then went his own way! It's so good to have my old Flash back... still a little way to go (we need more positive encounters like these to be entirely confident again - both him and me), but not far off now!
I love you so much, Flashy boy! You are amazing.
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