cece

 6.24.22 - REVIEW & HOMEWORK

TWO WEEK SHUTDOWN

I recommend completing the two week shutdown to reset Cece’s acclimation into your home. I believe Cece is showing signs of fearful behavior and that the two week shutdown is the best option to get started working with her.

ATTENTION

During the two week shutdown, it is too early to begin any complex training, however, I encourage rewarding for any offered attention, and refraining from cueing attention by making noises or calling Cece’s name. Try switching up to see if she will take any high value treats such as cheese, meatballs, or hot dogs. If she doesn’t take them one day, keep trying each day to see if there’s any increased interest in the treats that could indicate progress, but don’t try to force the treats on Cece. Also, she may be more inclined to take the treats if you toss them towards her/away from you, rather than holding the treat in your hand and waiting for her to approach you or approaching Cece with the treat.

DESENSITIZATION AND COUNTERCONDITIONING

Something I did not mention in the call but that you can try working on with Cece is desensitization and counterconditioning. This is also dependent on her ability to take treats but is definitely something you can try each day to see if her interest in treats increases. You can do a fly-by treat toss where you toss a treat on Cece’s bed or in her crate as you walk by. This will hopefully build the association of people moving towards her or near her with good things. Try not to linger near her bed or crate when you do this so she can have her safe spaces on her bed and in her crate. This will also ease her comfortability into human contact. The ultimate goal is to allow Cece to choose to come to you when she feels ready and not pressure any form of contact onto her, no matter how well intentioned. I understand this will be difficult but is important to allow Cece the time she needs to choose to come to you.