tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364510902774440038.post5076326358223256828..comments2023-07-02T06:53:19.789-07:00Comments on Rollin' With Rubi: Reactivity vs ReactivityDizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114617812917172888noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364510902774440038.post-46518416271740982012011-02-10T09:27:19.971-08:002011-02-10T09:27:19.971-08:00Thanks Laura! This was great! I'm constantly...Thanks Laura! This was great! I'm constantly trying to strictly categorize Indy's behavior with no success. She's mostly like Maus in that her reactivity is fear-based. And she has a problem with fixation as well. However, I have seen her react out of frustration a handful of times. When its fear-based, sometimes she wants to retreat, and other times she wants to lunge. There are a lot of variables that affect her reactions. How many are there? Are there other dogs around who are comfortable with it? Is it a new place? Is it windy? Is she on-leash or off? Is it moving? How fast? With a limp? What does it sound like? I also wonder if as she gets more confident and comfortable with strange people and dogs her reactivity will move from fear-based to frustration-based if she is carrying any anxiety and/or an over-abundance of excitement/energy. And she’ll only be the age of two in a couple of weeks. The most important light bulb moment that I've had lately is that I still don't REALLY know my dog. It’s a bit painful to realize, but I have to accept it. She’s incredibly complicated, I think, for a dog. From the temptation to personify, to the subtleties in body language that I'm probably not yet picking up on; I’m not yet tuned in to her like I need to be to work with her as effectively as possible. And its all a moving target at this point. There can be no conclusions yet, only a continued determination for a stronger understanding. So I thank YOU Laura, for reminding me that there may not be any answers at this point, but there ARE more questions. Gaahhhh! I do love this challenge, as stressful as it can be sometimes. One thing I do know is that it WILL make me a better person. And I do love Indy. She IS amazing.Nikinoreply@blogger.com