Greetings all:

Last night Zoe and I were walking -- she stopped to poop -- and as I was
cleaning up, which was a little tricky because I had an umbrella in
addition to Zoe's leash to manage, one of the neighborhood dogs who Zoe
dislikes intensely rounded the corner (leashed to her owner, as she always
is, so no worries there). My instant thought was that Zoe was going to
freak, and growl and lunge because I hadn't shortened the leash in time.
But I stayed calm and said, in a calm voice "there's Candy and you're
probably going to freak but sit and stay" and she plunked herself right
down, and stayed there until Candy walked by -- no growling, no trying to
break the stay. She was a star!! She received a tasty treat and much
praise, including some praise from Candy's owner.

It's pretty clear that the method of talking calmly and having her sit when
other dogs approach is having a good effect on her. It's such a good
feeling to know that we could tackle this problem together, and I think it
must feel good to her too -- it couldn't have been pleasant to be freaking
out every time she saw a dog she didn't like, or any strange dog.

--Catherine
& Zoe the very calm and obedient cockerchow
PS Isn't Candy a cute name for a dog?