Yes, I've got to say I'm blown away by it. It was a real eye opener for me. Kris knows me, I am a bit of a screwball, I really tend to go overboard when it comes to my dogs.

But back to Shoshi I never realized it before but I'd say a good 50% of the time my voice changes when I talk to Shoshona (edit. its likely more like 80-90%). It rarely changes when I talk to the boys, but with her its like she's this precious little angel and I want everything in her world to be soft and gentle. I guess its a bit hard to explain on line but I can see where I'd be putting out signals that she's picking up on.

I'm really looking forward to working on these issues and then doing another communication.

Gotta run, hope everythings having a great weekend and thanks for your interest. I def would recommend this-at least once.

wow

Amazing info., wish I would have tried this when we adopted Sean and he had terrible separation anxiety. He's always been fearful when we pick something up to swat a bug which we interpreted meant he had been hit and/or abused by someone. Wish we knew what happened. We've been extra gentle and it sounds like I talk to him in the same tone of voice that you talk to Shoshi. BTW, love the story about her Hebrew name.

I am so glad to hear that it went so well. I would like to try it one day with my two.

Oh, your in good company Jan!

It was really amazing. I always thought the way I talked to Shoshi was just me spoiling her...giving her that extra love, attention and sweet talk that would been fitting for a Queen. But the more I've thought about that this weekend the more I've realized I haven't been doing her any favors. I'm working hard to change this. She'll always be my precious angel and yes, the Queen, but I'm begining to talk to her the same way I talk to the boys and she seems to be responding.

This weekend I did my housework as usual but without the babytalk and my running into the bedroom to check on her and let her know everything was ok, etc... no, this time I actually just did the work and guess what? She stayed in the Living room!!!

I'm working on encourging her when she acts 'normal'. But I think a lot of this will be my tone and how I react.

Amazing the subliminal training that goes on, good and bad.

You might want to keep a few treats in your pocket or a couple of fun toys near by. As you do your housework, just stop once in awhile and call your dogs, give a treat, or play a little tug, then back to work with no extra comments.

I am so glad to hear of the progress already.

Good job!

Treats in my pocket I'd never get anything done if I had treats in my pocket

But your right, having a toy around...like with her a ball will do just fine and tossing that around here and there while I do my housework is a great idea.

I'm really excited to be able to make such a difference in her life and change things so that she can enjoy life more.

Sounds like a great experience.

Just thought I would update everyone on our progress. As you may recall Shoshi has fear issues which have results from my coddling her.

At first I was determined to change but without me even recognizing I was back to my old habits in no time. One day I described a fight that had broke out the morning before to one of my co-workers. I explained that Shoshi and Shiloh were actually fighting at the food bowl which is so unusual. Well I went on to explain that I broke it up and how I told 'poor little Shoshi that it was going to be alright, it must be hard being wee little bity,'etc. All the while I held her ever so carefully in my arms (just imagine her thinking she would have to fight for her food). Of course I'm describing this to my co-worker and she points out right away that I haven't changed one bit-she thought I was suppose to be working on this! Well, I was busted and I'm glad I was because it really made me think.

Now I'm sure I'm not perfect but from that point on I've really worked on me and making sure I don't continue as I have. Even yesterday it was windy outside and normally Shoshi gets scared of the wind so I hold her. I didn't do it! I simply said it was just the wind and went on playing with them. Amazingly, she did fine. There have been a few other times when I've stopped myself and just went about my day instead of babying her.

OMG, one day (I have to tell ya about this), it was windy and I was trying to get to the kitchen sink. She positioned herself between me and the sink like she aways did before so I had to stop and hold her. Well this time I actually made her move! Its true! Now that was huge progress on my part I told her everything was ok and to get out of my way...can you imagine But she listened and did ok with that.

We're making progress....well, I'm making progress. I do know all this is for her own good and I so want her to be happy.