#long post sorry i don'tknow how to do the cut post on mobile
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This will likely just be rambling but I wanted to do a text post on Jyn's behavior over the week while we were camping for my sake (bad memory lately) and I also strive to be someone who shares all sides of my life with dogs not just the highlights.
This was Jyn's second camping trip with me and I already saw big improvements!
First we spent two nights in a state forest with friends (3 people, 6 dogs total). Because of the primitive and secluded site, the dogs were able to be off leash most of the time. I only used the tie-out for Jyn as a time out for the few times she started to stray too far or when I was napping and couldn't monitor her.
She initiated play with the other dogs at least once a day and it was glorious to watch!
She did better about not resource guarding me: we practiced with me petting her and another dog and then with her in my lap while another dog came to say hi to me. Both were triggers in the past and I'd say we had a 80% success rate. She did however start to RG the car, which I didn't prevent due to not expecting it! I had the trash back there so one dog went to check it out when I was elsewhere and Jyn rushed them. (Her go to move for this is a lightning fast muzzle punch.) I made the mistake of not fully helping her feel secure when she was eating a couple times near or in the car and another dog approached so I need to be more proactive next time. She got to practice sharing her car with another dog again. On the way to the hike she muzzled punched Boe a few times so had to go on timeout in the front seat. After the hike I tethered her and she was tired so she only tried once and listened to me when I told her to go to her bed.
Hiking wise she was fabulous! Recall wonderful, decent leave it, checking in constantly, LLWing offered a good amount as well as on cue, posing for pics, worked on "wait" cue since we hadn't in a while. I have no complaints! It's also really nice to see her enjoying the water.
One trail we did was fairly busy and did show that I need to work on Jyn's tendency to fall out of LLW when she wants to smell people after they pass but once I have the energy, that will be easy to work on at home since we live in the city.
The third day, we were on our way to camp solo at a state park but my car had a brake issue that needed to be looked at so Jyn accompanied me to a mechanic and we waited for a little over 2 hours for them to replace parts. She was able to meet all the men that worked there which was great exposure for her. She was timid but happy to sniff them and allowed minimal pets. I like that she gives herself space if she needs it and doesn't get nippy/defensive anymore.
We went to the park for a walk, shower for me, and then set up camp. Jyn was getting a bit fussy, I had her in the car when I showered and then she passed out in the dirt when I napped in my hammock. She was very alert when it got dark, more so than she had been when we were with our group. And to be fair, I was as well. The campground was mostly empty of campers but during the early evening several people walked around. Jyn did try to boof at one pair so I played some LAT with her that was highly successful.
No matter where we camped, if Jyn heard something that woke her, she would get up and stare out of the nearest tent window or door, completely quiet. I sometimes talked to her softly and she would get back into my sleeping bag.
We both slept hard that third night as it poured rain and was very peaceful. Jyn sat in the car as I packed up camp the next morning. I opened the door on her side to get her harness on before we left and noticed she was shivering. When I reached around her to buckle the harness, she curled her lip in warning. I was puzzled and tried to continue so she tried to bite me. (It was very reminiscent of her first night with us when we tried to dry her off with a towel and she smashed herself into the corner of the couch and snapped if we approached.) I had taken off her coat earlier thinking it was warming up so I grabbed it to put it back on her, but again lip curl and snapping when I reached around her back. So I ended up wrapping her in a blanket. I did correct her once (with a hand clap and something verbal) when she almost connected with my hand. I left her alone and finished the rest of what I had to do and when I got back to the car she was herself again. Of course I went though as many scenarios as to what could have gotten her into that flight or fight mode. I was very concerned that she was in pain. But I think my best conclusion is that she was likely tired physically and mentally and had reached her limit. I regret not listening to her signals better. She had no other instances of this for the remainder of the trip.
Near the end of our hike on that same day, Jyn started to chew on her left hind foot and was mouthy when I tried to inspect. This is fairly normal for her, we are still working on body handling and outside in a strange place wasn't ideal. She then started kicking the ground with it. I thought perhaps she had gotten stung by insect or plant so she got benedryl then and also the next morning. She let me get a better look when she was calm and in the car and I didn't find anything suspect.
When Jyn was off leash at any campsite, she was full terrier. Like those Family Circus cartoons with the dotted lines showing where the kids go around the house and yard. Busy! Here, there, everywhere. But when she was on the tie-out, she had to keep me in sight always and would cry even if left with company. This is something that I noticed during her first camping trip and was mostly able to simply avoid this time around. I discovered that using the car to crate her if I did have to go somewhere without her was acceptable to her so I think with that, we can start to work on getting the rest of it better.
The fourth night we stayed with one friend at a busy campground. Jyn liked to watch the people go by. She only boofed and growled at one person, campground host. I think because he was going into the other campsites to deliver things instead of just walking on the road. I didn't have any treats handy at the time so I tried to soothe Jyn. She didn't stop but also did not escalate.
I love how well Jyn has taken to all of this! And she's only been with me for 8 months! Doing trips like this with her has really strengthened our bond, too.
(Rogue enjoyed a staycation with my fiancé and visits from dog walkers. I can't wait until it's cool enough again for him to want to be outside more.)
Photo of Jyn next to some fresh bear poop outside of our campsite! (The bear had walked around in the middle of the night and found someone's bin of food they hadn't put away, Jyn and I didn't see it but had listened to it happening.)
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