We hang a bag of recyclables on a door knob between the kitchen and the hall leading upstairs. It’s elegant, yes.
Jingle over the last few days had developed a phobia of the area. So I channeled Temple Grandin and put myself in Jingle’s place. What I discovered through my detective work is this:
When Jingle passes through the aforementioned area, her wagging tail thrashes the recycle bag, making a scary clatter. She is convinced there is a loud monster behind the door, waiting to get her. In fact, she’d taken to checking behind the door before proceeding very cautiously, and only if you had a treat in plain sight to motivate her. She was basically terrified to leave the kitchen.
So, we took the recyclables off the door knob, and I had her walk the dreaded two foot path one billion times last night, feeding her minuscule pieces of Puperoni. She is 99% over her fear.
Dr. Grandin, I hope I did you proud.
Aww!! Look at the little doggy face! “Don’t make me do it mum! The bogey monster is waiting for me RIGHT there!!”
Don’t know about Temple Grandin, but I’m proud of you!
Brilliant!
Still in love with your Jingle. What a cool and compassionate JingleMama you are to help her through….
Nice work!
The ability to put yourself in someone’s place is a gift. You are abnormally gifted, my friend. Dr. Grandin would, indeed, be proud. In so many ways.