A La Aspie

Today, I took Cody on our first outing in public. We started with Walmart. I was a little nervous approaching the front door but Walmart staff were very respectful and I wasn’t challenged. Then Tim took off in the other direction, I got nervous and Cody got nervous. We rested for a moment and then plodded onward.

Cody was very well behaved. He focused on navigating around things, he ignored people, for the most part and ignored the stuff on the shelves and wasn’t the least bit frightened of shopping carts. And then the puddle of water happened. I didn’t see it, Cody stepped in it and his feet went out from under him and he panicked. He laid there for a long while, me comforting him before he braved it again and then he tried to do it on his toes. Have you ever seen a dog walk on it’s toes? It’s quite humorous and not at all conducive to navigating a tile floor. I’ll spare the details but we made it ALMOST back to the front door and then wound up putting him in a cart and wheeling him out, which he enjoyed.

Even while he was panicked, he was very quiet and polite to people. He laid there, panted and looked about calmly and interested in what was going on. Two old ladies met us on the way out and petted him and stroked him. I held my breath a little but there was nothing to fear. He licked one and they both cooed. When we got to the car, I walked him around the parking lot to help him regain his composure and then we were off to get lunch.

I learned, as his handler, to keep my cool and support him and to stand confidently by his side. Even though he wasn’t feeling confident, just being there with him made me more confident. I also learned to evaluate the successes and forgive the rest. He makes mistakes too and he did great for his very first time out! I also found that with him to focus on, even with such an anxiety cuing event, I didn’t panic AT ALL! I was CONFIDENT!

We went to Submarina next. I walked him around the parking lot and then approached the door. Instantly, he got nervous. I put on my confident energy and marched right in the door, ushering him behind. I let him lay down at the door while someone else placed the order and then we got up and walked outside and walked around some more. Then we did one more quick jaunt into the door and back out and he did it without being frightened at all. Success!

We ate outside and worked on down and stay while people are eating. Not so great at the stay part. I suspect because, in part, he was still keyed up over his experiences earlier in the day.

We made one more stop to CVS, which is carpeted, for his confidence and feeling of success. A little hesitation at the door, but then he followed us right in and took treats the whole way. When he stopped taking treats, that was my cue that he was getting nervous and so we walked outside and he got lots of praise.

We practiced sitting politely outside while people passed and he got it down pat. Then he came home and passed out in his crate. What a big day for him! No more working today for him. Just lots of love and rest. Tomorrow though, we’re right back at it. I’m actually tentatively looking forward to getting out!

Also may have been crossposted to my Asperger's Syndrome blog on Trusera.com, a site where people show health related stories. Check it out!