Progress !

Regarding Micky's fear of leaving the apartment (http://mysmartpuppy.com/services/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=464), Friend (Jim) had an idea that we tried last night that worked great.

When Micky and I left the apartment, Jim was at the end of the hall where Micky could see him. Jim yelled out "Hi Micky" and ducked out of sight down that hall. I said "let's go find Jim" and Micky happily and excitedly headed off with me down the hall. When we got to the end, Jim was at the end of that hall. Again, Micky was excited and again I said "Let's go find Jim" (btw, "find Jim" is a game we often play inside -- Jim hides at his place and we go into his apartment, Micky's got to find him). We headed towards Jim again at which point Jim headed down the stairs. No treats and luring necessary to get him down the stairs (Jim apparently is Micky's highest value treat :) ). We turned it into a game that Micky really enjoyed.

This morning we upped the challenge... Jim started at the bottom of the stairs. When Micky and I left the apartment he immediately looked to the end of the hall... I said "Let's go find Jim", and off we went without any trouble. Each corner we turned, Jim still wasn't there, but the "game was on" and all I had to do was repeat "Let's go find Jim". Micky's reward was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

We took him to a nearby field and let him run around for a few minutes, he did his business, and then we came home. I'm sure we could have continued on for a walk, but... he's been so easily spooked outside lately that I want to make sure his next several outings are nothing but happy. The longer we're out, the higher the risk of something frightening him.

I am cautiously optimistic. I'm sure we're not out of the woods yet, but this was definitely progress!

Friend's a pretty smart guy :).