Eeeee!

I have Chelse from Dog's Best Friend coming over next Wednesday. I am really excited to get some specific ideas on how to tighten up Gustav's program. I'm worried that he's getting the wrong idea sometimes. For example, last night I decided to run some door-knocking desensitization. So all I did was knock on the front door from the inside, then give kibble (assuming the dogs were quiet). They were great, but after getting treated Gustav would let out a silly little woof, confusingly. Does he think that's what I want? Am I accidentally reinforcing reactive behavior, and making him worse? I know that technically a reinforcement has to happen within a half-second or so of the behavior to be reinforcing it (unless a secondary reinforcer is used, like praise or a click), but anecdotally I have watched Dottie game that system. For example, she barks out the window at nothing then trots over to me, sits and wags her tail, and ceases barking. She is clearly chaining events and anticipating a reward. Stupid smart dog.

I've also been mulling the best way to handle the entrance. Gustav will be in his crate, for sure. I'm hoping to make it so Chelse doesn't knock at all (maybe a note on the door?) and so that one of us can let her in while the other treats Dottie out of barking (probably me). Then we'll put Gustav on leash and bring him out, and essentially treat Chelse like Justin's mom, who Gustav has acted aggressively toward in the past. Gustav will never be within bite-range of Chelse, unless things look really really good.