Day 4 of washout

I decided today that the fact that Katie is not up to walks is not a good reason for ME to not take one!  So I did that this evening, and then decided to do some DS/CC with Katie at the front door.  She was doing so well with that that I decide to see if I could get her to work out on the front step.  Not a good idea!  Open the front door, and she gets anxious and moves away.  I did get her to go out the back door, and did some DS/CC out there.  She was reasonably responsive, maybe a little stressed, but willing to do nose touches, etc.  Then we moved to the front stoop, and did a few touches there, and then inside to remove leash.  She hung out inside for a bit, then we went outside for potty break and major zoomies!  I am not sure if it was my being out for the walk, or the fact that we did the DS/CC, or a combination, but she has been amped up tonight.  I think sometimes she does zoomies as a stress reliever, or just because it feels good.  Maybe both?  So it's hard to tell sometimes whether it's because she has been stressed and needs the adrenaline rush, or she is really pleased with herself and needs to let the good feelings out.  We'll see how things go.

Day 3 of washout

Only one Xanax today, and no lunch break (had to stay at work).  She wasn't as hyper when I got home, but still pretty close to normal.

I will say that I find myself in an interesting conundrum.  I know that she will do better when she is back on the meds.  So, do I try doing DS/CC with her now, or wait until she starts the new drug?  If I hadn't had her on the Elavil, I would be doing the DS/CC right now, trying to get her more confident and happy in new situations.  But I find myself more just managing the situation, not pushing her to try things, since I know that she is not at her peak performance right now.    And I know that the Xanax would get her to a level where I can do some DS/CC, as long as I manage the stress level, but it also tends to make her really puppy-playful, as my behaviorist put it, which is hard to handle some nights, especially when I am trying not to put her in stressful situations, which means not taking her out for walks, which would be my normal way of dealing with the excess energy.  So, it is just an interesting observation, to me, that knowing how she is when she is on meds makes me reluctant to treat her the way that I did when I didn't know that she would do better on meds, if that makes any sense at all.

Day 2 of washout

Gave Katie Xanax at breakfast and lunch.  She's been much more playful.  Did zoomies in the yard when I got home (although that may also be because I got home late today, around 7:30).  We did some training, she got part of dinner in the Leo, and we did much playing with stuffs.  I did have to distract her off of chewing on the cat tree (she seems to find the wood fascinating every so often) and she actually tried the nylabone (which she has generally ignored).  It's been a good day.

Day one of the wash out

Katie is definitely showing more signs of fear.  She hangs out less in the front room, is much more cautious going outside, and jumped when there was a sudden noise while doing DS/CC at the front door. I think trying this outside is going to have to wait until I have her back on drugs.  And I definitely need to keep her on the Xanax for the switch.

Last day of weaning

Haven't seen any huge changes in Katie the last few days.  I've been busy prepping for a dinner party I had last night, which had her a bit concerned since it threw the normal routines off.  She did reasonably well at the party.  Went to her safe spot, grabbed her bed like it a was a life boat in a sea of hungry sharks, and stayed there until everyone left.  I gave her some Kongs, and came back with super good treats a few times to check on her.  She would do some touches, as long as she could remain on her bed with no sits/stands, etc.  But she wasn't panting or shaking or anything like that, just perfectly happy to stay on her safe place.  She got to see the others on their way to use the bath room, since the door to that is close to her safe place, but they were good and left her alone, so it all worked out ok.  She actually seemed more concerned after everyone left.  Had to give the entire place a thorough check to make sure everyone was gone!

Day 10 of weaning

Nothing major to report.  I am a little stressed:  had my walking class, and am prepping for a dinner on Saturday.  Friday, last minute cleaning and cooking!

Day 9 of weaning

We're back to being scared of the pool guys.  The neighbor has a pool service that comes by on Wednesdays, at Katie's morning turn-out time, and today she put her front feet out, saw them, and turned around and went back inside.  They didn't use to bother her.  She did really have to go, so a few minutes later she came and got me to let her out, but went to the side yard instead of going in the back, which is where she normally relieves herself, but is also next to the pool.

This afternoon, she jumped when I closed a cabinet door in the kitchen.  And this evening, the wind both had her on edge (she needed a fair amount of coaxing to go out), and excited (once outside, lots of happy running!)  I'd forgotten how much she's improved while being on the drugs.  Five more days of weaning, then we start the wash-out, and then the new drug needs to build up.  I am curtailing most of Katie's experiences outside for now, based on how she is acting inside.  We are making progress at the front door.  I need to talk to my behaviorist about how to handle her when I open the door.  She is definitely curious about the outside, but then gets frightened and moves away from the door.