David had an interview in the city so we took Art and Talon so we could go to the dog park after all the running around. Well, we didn't go to the dog park because we were all tired as it was a long day.
His interview was in the same parking area as Petsmart so I took Talon in for a bit while I was waiting for David. OMG what a stressful visit! I didn't realize it was the friends and family discount days, so the store was just packed. Not to mention a big adoption event so there was a ton of cats and dogs. I walked around for a while and Talon was losing his mind a bit. He was so overwhelmed at first, but I don't blame him there was soo much going on. I tried finding a quiet spot but it took a while. When I finally found a nice little spot we started doing some sits, downs, nose touchs, back ups, etc to try and destress. Worked so good! I'm so proud of him, after that he was soooo focused and good!
Also, he met a few younger kids, who he was previously scared up, but he ran right up to them and sat down ^_^ He even went straight up to Santa! We took a quick pic of him and Santa.
Than David came in with Art and Talon lost his mind with worry because he saw Art than Art was gone.
lol Poor baby whined like a banshee.
He also got a terrible present, a gentle leader. :yikes: He let's us put it on with absolutely NO struggle at all! yay Talon.
Overall, it was stressful and not the right time to be there, but he did pretty OK anyways.
*Edit*
Also, any tips for gentle leader desensitization?
It's been a little while since I had to desensitize a dog to a head halter. Talon will let us put it on no problem. So right now we are putting it on him twice a day, for about 20minutes a day maybe. We put it on in the morning, then give him a kong filled with frozen stuff. Than when he is done with the frozen kong we take off his GL and do it again that night. He doesn't seem to care at all about the GL when he has his kong, there is n pawing/scratching at all.
SO I think the next step we are going to put it on him to do training, something he isn't 100% involved in during the whole time like he is with the kong. Probably up it to 3 times a day for short sessions. Than maybe for short potty breaks with lots of treats, than longer walks.
That's just what I'm thinking of doing, any suggestions? Does that seem like an ok plan?