Progress

Kim checked in with me to discuss Larsen's health and other progress.  He's eating like a starving animal and the other end is coming along.  Kim said that given the supplements, the precautionary medications that he received from Dr. Ken Currie at the Bishopville Animal Clinic, and his most recent digestive problems, it is no wonder that he still has a little softness in his stools.  The diarrhea has abated.

The really good news is that Larsen has decided that he now would pay attention to Kim.  This is a sea-change.

I personally saw the first round.  It was a hard-headed woman versus a brick-headed dog.

"Larsen.  Watch me."  "no."  "Look at me." "no." "Larsen, look."  "no."

Kim says that Larsen now barks at her when she's working the other dogs.  Says Kim: "It's still all about him." (The little prince.)  But the silver lining is that Larsen wants attention from Kim.  He is willing to give Kim his full attention if she will return the favor.

Now training can begin.

Kim said that he will reach for the barbell when she says "take it."  (This is a typical "force fetch"  requirement, and it is a very good sign.)  He pays attention to her when it is her turn.  Kim said that when it is not his turn, she kennels him on the truck.  This is to calm him.  Because he cannot really see anything from the kennels in the back of the truck, it prevents Larsen from barking himself hoarse and working himself to a state where he cannot be trained.  He curls up in the kennel, snoozes, and waits his turn.

The fact that Larsen is opening up to Kim is good news.  My sense is that Kim is opening up to Larsen as well.  Progress comes in little steps.