@NickNack wrote:
@geezerette wrote:
@NickNack wrote:
I edited my original post and wanted to add this here, too.
Since one poster commented that it must be terrible to be terrified every minute of every day and that she doubted this would ever work. It is NOT every minute of every day. She was scared this morning but hasn't been since. She is sitting beside me on the couch right now very happy and content. I do not plan on giving up unless this proves to not be able to work. That would be months from now, not days. I will give her as much time as she needs. I think this is where she needs to be. She had fear issues to work out before she came here, and I was aware of that.
@NickNack
That's good news.👍
Since it seems that Ava isn't terrified all the time, it may take a little more eagle-eyed detective work on your part, @NickNack!😉
Maybe it's when Henry directly confronts her? Like at the door this morning when she was afraid to come out. Or when he arches his back at her, giving her vibes that he's not happy or relaxed with her? You could have a bit of a problem with Henry, as well as Ava. Neither are used to each other yet, so there's still tension, which Ava seems to be very attuned and reactive to.
Now that you have an idea of what's going on, you can keep a close eye on when it is that Ava gets frightened and see what's happening around her at those times. You want this to work, so I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes to get little Ava feeling that your home is now her home too!🤞❤️
@geezerette It happens when she sees him, but she doesn't see him all the time. Just now he was outside on my screened in porch looking in the door, and she did it. I'm not sure what to do when it happens. I am very anxious to get the trainer's contact information this morning so I can call her.
When I see him I try to divert her attention from him and tell her that it's okay. That's probably exactly the wrong thing to do though.
@NickNack
I'm certainly no trainer, but I'll bet that's exactly what she says to do. If you calmly divert Ava's attention when she gets scared of Henry she'll eventually learn that she can just walk away from him if she wants and nothing bad will happen. It's just going to take time. And a lot of patience.
Don't forget that even though both Henry and Ava have been fine with other dogs and cats, they haven't been exposed to each other. Henry has been used to Frankie--how she acted and smelled, and he knows that Ava isn't Frankie. So he's probably confused too.
And Ava is just totally upside down. Her whole life is suddenly different--new house, new mommy, new cat brother. And she's got a naturally timid personality to begin with, so that is what makes it harder. She doesn't know what to do, so she falls back on what she does know--being afraid.
If you are calm and patient, and with a bit of guidance from a trainer, I'm sure you will hit on the way(s) to make Ava feel comfortable and come out of her shell. She may never be an outgoing dog, but she's come a long way in just the few days you've had her.
It doesn't sound like Henry will be a problem. Once Ava settles down, they will most likely be fine together, if not become friends.
Keep us updated about what the trainer says.🐾
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