September 08, 2003
Waiting for the elevator.
10:00 a.m.
When we first moved into our new home, Dusty was terrified of the elevator. I had to carry her onto it, then she shook and whined during the entire trip to our floor.
We've been working on this. The first step was to convince her that the elevator is actually a wonderful portal of doggy fun, including praise, ear scratches and lots and lots of treats.
Once she was entering the elevator with enthusiasm, I worked on asking her for a sit before she got on or off the elevator (so other people can exit before we get on, and also so Dusty won't try to exit whenever the elevator stops at a floor). She now only enters or exits when I give her the release work 'okay.'
The final step was to convince Dusty that the best place for a dog to be in an elevator is right at my side, usually over in a corner. Because she gets lots of treats when she is in her 'spot,' she marches over there whenever we get on.
The real test came this morning. We got on the elevator. Then it stopped at 12, and 7 and 6 and 5. More and more people got on. It was very crowded.
And Dusty sat quietly and didn't make a peep!!! She politely waited until it was our turn to exit. We'll need to keep reinforcing this behaviour, but so far I'm quite pleased with Dusty's 'elevator etiquette' !