[HadassahSukkot]

That definitely helps. I'm trying the distraction model when she gets riled up or scared. That helps some. I try to get down on her level or bring her up to mine (whichever is safer) and have her focus on me.

We went to the Felsenmeer in Lautertal today and the scariest thing she saw there was a big black backpack and a fire hydrant. We encountered three dogs and other than barking, I was able to get her attention away to walk up the forest past the brook and she paid more attention to where she was going and less to the other dogs. I'll start carrying a pack of treats around. That should help!! I made sure to praise her lots when she did good and redirect when she was tripping me or moving in the way.

We went for ice cream when we went home and she sat on my lap. There was one dog that went by and she got into "action mode" so I redirected. Eventually we had some Spatzen (Sparrows?) come up to us to beg for crumbs which lended towards an easy distraction. "Look, birds! stay with mommy."

She did great with DH and I think she did awesome for her first trip out in a nature park with us. I got a couple good shots of her while out.

*note: her collar is loose and on only for identification purposes. She is so not ready to be walked with a collar. Having her tags on her harness was hampering the clip on the lead. We're doing that since the boys have let her out a couple of times and we're not ready to microchip yet. Her harness comes off at home.