On Saturday, I decided to take Gracie on a little adventure. I sprayed D.A.P. on her Thundershirt in preparation for our trip. I wrestled her into the shirt. Then, I noticed she was trembling. She was terrified. I made a big mistake.
The only time Gracie smells D.A.P. or wears a Thundershirt is on car rides. She now associates those things with a car ride, which sends her into an anxious state. Things that were supposed to sooth her do the opposite.
My plan now is to use these items at home. She needs to become comfortable with them again and no longer associate them with a car ride. If your dog associates a particular item with the source of his or her anxiety, you must find a creative way to reverse that opinion. Keep my mistake in mind if you too are struggling with a training problem.
Rescue Mommy
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