Dear Anita,

Yes I completely agree that Mango needs positive direction. When that incident happened I was more sad and I said Mango no in not much of a difference way but out of concern way and I picked him up and the lady and I talked about what was his trigger and she said she thought I was because last time Mango saw her she had a big dog. I picked him up to try to help him feel safe and contain.

I am not the best at being calm. The place I called was a rescue rehab center for animals. They told me he is young and can learn he is in a good window for exposure. She also said matlese are prone to nipping which I did not know.

I was considering what is best forango and a c owner is what is best. He has a really good memory. Today when we walked he sit so I can walk through entrances first as the leader. He is staying close to me. I think I was treating him lol he was Casper so having a loose leash.

Anyways last night I danced with Mango like I use to with Casper. And he followed me cue if I jumped he jumped and he followes me around.

Just now some coffee was accidentally spilt bevausesngo knocked into it I said oh no in a calm way and went to get something to clean it.ango was sitting kind of timid and I just said to him it isn’t your fault it was an accidental and it’s all good.

I do remember he was very afraid of rolled up poster paper that I was trying to hang up on my wall. I don’t know what occured previously but I know he grew up with some kids.

I am thinking that maybe the dog park is a bit too ambitious to start with and want to ask my neighbor to have her meet us outside and I will give her treats and I will have treats and so we can practice confidently meeting. and if it is too much we will stay at a distance. It is confusing because mango has met people well before.

I don’t know exactly how his life was before but I know he was in a crate for training purposes I never did crate training unless Casper was I’ll he didn’t want to or have to go in his kennel.

I need to find some expert help for sure but I don’t think he needs obedience training because he listens very well when valm. he needs emotional training I think?

It is hard because I have a hard time being called but I slept well and I think the gabapentin is working but it is like how do a train a dog well knowing I have PTSD and these issues.ayne I should of adopted a service dog.

I guess my big question is if I. Goo enough of calm enough to give Mango what he needs to become a well adjusted dog. I had a grooming appt scheduled but now I am nervous for him . I have trimmed hair around his paws and he lets me bathe him butaybe I could consider auzzle or sothing I don’t know something to reduce the risk. But I also worry maybe that would make him more anxious. I schedule the appt in the morning when there aren’t that many dogs or people in the morning.

I am trying my best but I also myself where do I draw the line and say hey I am not doing right by mango maybe he needs to have something different in his life but he has such bad separation anxiety I have only left him alone twice because he gets distressed so I wonder if he is so protective because of that and that he was rehomed. It’s a lot to adjust to a new place.  The neighbor lady said she also has PTSD and when isn’t feeling calm she doesn’t meet people with her dog or get together with her dog because she knows he will become defensive.

Best wishes

Zeeza