Behavior Modification Therapy

Bailey wearing Mark's rain jacket from work

As many of you know, Bailey had been seeing Pepe for behavior modification therapy. Yes, you read it right . . . Pepe works at J&K Canine Academy and is helping Bailey overcome her fear of the vet. She has always been scared to go to the vet, but the past few times her fear has progressed to the point that she can't get her wellness exams done so something had to be done. At her first appointment he assessed her and basically determined she is terrified of the muzzle, which most likely stems from a previous bad experience at the vet. He gives us slight modifications to make to her daily routine between each of the appointments and although they relate very little to the muzzle and the vets office somehow it seems to be working. Last Friday was her second appointment with Pepe and we've already made big progress! She went from trying to climb under the chair, up the wall, and on the desk when the muzzle entered the room, to allowing Pepe to wrap her leash around her snout, cover her eyes and do an exam. We were impressed, she would never have done this at her first appointment! We go back again in a week so we'll see what happens next.