Just a few recent improvements...

[JudyN]

1) After developing 'doorbell reactivity' after we had decorators in, Jasper is now almost back to normal, often not bothering to shift from the sofa. He did have a bark and ran to me when someone knocked instead of rung the other night, but was more than happy when I gave him a treat before answering.

2) He's also got over his fear of the car which developed suddenly a while back. I kept a stash of treats next to me and handed them back to him at regular intervals. Sometimes he was too nervous to take them but gradually he would take them every time. I didn't even have a problem with fading them out His shivering was temperature related, though not simply because he felt cold, and he did have a slight relapse on one really cold morning outing with the windows misting up, but settled down once the car had warmed up.

3) He really didn't like having his sore paw ministered to, and would walk away or even grumble a bit. He would even back away when I just wanted to wash it in nice warm water. But we now have a ritual where I will put some really good treats a little distance away, do what I have to do with gentle reassurance (he'll often pull his paw away when I take it, but I just hold it gently), and knows he will then get the treats. What really pleases me is I don't need to convince him 'letting me do this is fun' as that would involve delivering treats while dealing with his foot which isn't at all easy, but he understands 'OK, this isn't actually fun, and you're a bit wary, but I'm not going to hurt you and when it's done you'll get those dried fish'. And he's learning a bit of self-control at the same time

[ClareMarsh]

Way to go Judy Although having met him, as I've said before, I think you make the stories up for your book butter wouldn't melt

[jacksdad]

Way to go Judy Although having met him, as I've said before, I think you make the stories up for your book

wait are you saying that Jasper is really a perfect gentlemen, the dog we all dream of having, perfect in every way?

[Ari_RR]

Following Jasper's advenures is a great therapy for me, whether they real or slightly exadurated
They never fail to give me a smile.
And, even more importanly, they never fail to reinforce the simple concept of "things could be worse!"

Good job, Judy and Jasper - keep it up!!

[JudyN]

Following Jasper's advenures is a great therapy for me, whether they real or slightly exadurated

You know, I don't exaggerate... really, I don't! I may pick and choose (how boring would it be if I just told you about the 99% of the time when he does behave like a perfect gentleman?), and I do try to raise a smile, but the difference between Jasper most of the time and Jasper when he's having a moment is - well - quite impressive Though I do sometimes wonder if his behaviour would be seen as so extraordinary if he was, say, a Jack Russell, who is expected to be fesity and who can only damage portions of you anatomy below knee level

But it does mean that I really value and never take for granted all the wonderful things about him

The book - maybe, one day, if publishers stop sending me work, and Jasper sleeps through the night....

[ClareMarsh]

wait are you saying that Jasper is really a perfect gentlemen, the dog we all dream of having, perfect in every way?

Well you have to keep an eye on him in wooded areas because he goes into deer alert mode but otherwise yes, he's perfectly behaved from what I saw