Daisy does seem to be making progress, all of a sudden. Lately we've been taking her each Sunday for our own socialization training. We walk up to an ocean bluff in Half Moon Bay where plenty of dogs and their people go for walks. But unlike the Montara hills, they don't suddenly jump out from behind bushes. Unlike the beach, they don't stare and then horribly remain within sight for miles and miles.
On the bluff at Francis Beach, there is a fence, two pathways, and various benches and ditches that can separate our little group from passersby. We can walk along and when a dog approaches, head off to another parallel path. At first, this was almost impossible for Daisy. She would pull forward, then drag back, then run from side to side, all the while screeching in a high-pitched whine. But then animal educator Cheryl Carver showed us how we could occupy her with duties. As long as Daisy is calm enough to almost concentrate, it works.
So here's what we do: We see a dog approaching about 50 yards away, so we go into action. If we're lucky, we're already near a ditch or a bench or some low bushes. We put Daisy to work. Left turn! Right turn! Around the bush! Over the ditch! She might trip or crash into a rock at first because she's not paying attention, but then she gets into it. Left turn! U-turn! Jump!
I'm sure the other humans think we're crazy. But Daisy is learning to let a dog pass by -- at a reasonable 40 or 50 feet distance -- without falling into a panic.
That is, as long as she's got a job to do.
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