Guest guest Posted October 18, 2001 Report Share Posted October 18, 2001 O.K., it's time for a little lightening up around here. So here is what goes on at our house every morning: The big sweet doofy black lab named Baloo gets fed. Then he finds his current favorite rawhide bone and goes to the sliding door next to the kitchen table. Standing there with the bone in his mouth, tail wagging, cuter than any creature deserves to be, he waits until I open the door and let him out. He goes out, rolls around with his bone for 30 seconds and then comes back and asks to be let in (the heat has just gone on, so the door can't be left open anymore). This is repeated a MINIMUM of 8 times and often more - in and out, in and out... We have been joking for six months about his OCD, and we tease him about whether he ended on an even or odd number. (My kindergartener just told his class that his dog has OCD - none of them, including the teacher, had a clue what he was talking about). My husband claims to be immune to the cute begging face and tells us all to ignore him (not that he does it or anything...). I always give in - a real sucker for any animal. But Annie, the kid who has been working on her OCD for 2 years, is adamant that we not allow this enabling anymore. She says " Mom, you're just making it worse. He has to face up to the bad feelings that come when you don't open the door!!! You're making his OCD worse!! Pretty soon he'll start counting kibbles as he eats, or skipping steps as he goes upstairs! " After some negotiation we have agreed to gradually reduce the number of laps he is allowed to do each morning until it is just one. I would gladly continue to open and shut the door 30 times a morning, but I'm so pleased to see how well Annie has learned the principles of CBT that I have to let her win this one. She must love being the one who has conquered the OCD and can now advise us on how to help Baloo get over it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2001 Report Share Posted October 18, 2001 -- I just LOVED this story!! I have a bordie collie with seperation anxiety and get this, she follows me all over the house!! What's going on here? Maybe pets pick their owners based on some kind of internal OCD radar!! But, she whines and gets so freaked out whenever I leave. Funny how I can take her whining and stalking anyday over 's belly aching! But, I know what you mean about feeling proud of Annie giving you advise on how to handle the dog. I have a little earned " anxiety " when my husband gets behind the wheel. I swear, the man doesn't watch what he's doing! Well, once when I was having a semi-panic attack (because he almost rear-ended another car for the 5th time that week), well, advised ME for a change. He said, " mom-- you're having an OCD moment. Boss it back! " I decided to turn the tables and asked HIM some reassurance questions, like " Are we going to die? How do you know? But, what if another car gets in front of your dad? What if he hits that telephone poll? What if a tornado blows us off the road? What if, what if... " He sez... " Geez, take a pill! And, I'm only gonna answer you ONCE, got it? " I died laughing... Joni P.S. Have you heard about the new 'doggie prozac' that's been out on the market for a few years? It supposed to ease anxiety in dogs. If I had one that BARKED all day (a sign of anxiety), I'd consider it. But, geez, unfortunately--with the cost of medications just for family members, our dog is last on our list! > O.K., it's time for a little lightening up around here. So here is > what goes on at our house every morning: > The big sweet doofy black lab named Baloo gets fed. Then he finds his > current favorite rawhide bone and goes to the sliding door next to the > kitchen table. Standing there with the bone in his mouth, tail wagging, cuter > than any creature deserves to be, he waits until I open the door and let him > out. He goes out, rolls around with his bone for 30 seconds and then comes > back and asks to be let in (the heat has just gone on, so the door can't be > left open anymore). This is repeated a MINIMUM of 8 times and often more - in > and out, in and out... We have been joking for six months about his OCD, and > we tease him about whether he ended on an even or odd number. (My > kindergartener just told his class that his dog has OCD - none of them, > including the teacher, had a clue what he was talking about). My husband > claims to be immune to the cute begging face and tells us all to ignore him > (not that he does it or anything...). I always give in - a real sucker for > any animal. But Annie, the kid who has been working on her OCD for 2 years, > is adamant that we not allow this enabling anymore. She says " Mom, you're > just making it worse. He has to face up to the bad feelings that come when > you don't open the door!!! You're making his OCD worse!! Pretty soon he'll > start counting kibbles as he eats, or skipping steps as he goes upstairs! " > After some negotiation we have agreed to gradually reduce the number of laps > he is allowed to do each morning until it is just one. > I would gladly continue to open and shut the door 30 times a morning, > but I'm so pleased to see how well Annie has learned the principles of CBT > that I have to let her win this one. She must love being the one who has > conquered the OCD and can now advise us on how to help Baloo get over it! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2001 Report Share Posted October 19, 2001 , thanks for the day brightener!! Loved the story! It's amazing how much more patience and amusement I myself would have for the dog than my son ! Darn if I'd open the door for HIM that many times! > O.K., it's time for a little lightening up around here. So here is > what goes on at our house every morning: > The big sweet doofy black lab named Baloo gets fed. Then he finds his > current favorite rawhide bone and goes to the sliding door next to the > kitchen table. Standing there with the bone in his mouth, tail wagging, cuter > than any creature deserves to be, he waits until I open the door and let him > out. He goes out, rolls around with his bone for 30 seconds and then comes > back and asks to be let in (the heat has just gone on, so the door can't be > left open anymore). This is repeated a MINIMUM of 8 times and often more - in > and out, in and out... We have been joking for six months about his OCD, and > we tease him about whether he ended on an even or odd number. (My > kindergartener just told his class that his dog has OCD - none of them, > including the teacher, had a clue what he was talking about). My husband > claims to be immune to the cute begging face and tells us all to ignore him > (not that he does it or anything...). I always give in - a real sucker for > any animal. But Annie, the kid who has been working on her OCD for 2 years, > is adamant that we not allow this enabling anymore. She says " Mom, you're > just making it worse. He has to face up to the bad feelings that come when > you don't open the door!!! You're making his OCD worse!! Pretty soon he'll > start counting kibbles as he eats, or skipping steps as he goes upstairs! " > After some negotiation we have agreed to gradually reduce the number of laps > he is allowed to do each morning until it is just one. > I would gladly continue to open and shut the door 30 times a morning, > but I'm so pleased to see how well Annie has learned the principles of CBT > that I have to let her win this one. She must love being the one who has > conquered the OCD and can now advise us on how to help Baloo get over it! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2001 Report Share Posted October 19, 2001 , What a great compliment to you and your family! Annie has really grasped the cbt concepts - good for you! I remember that feeling when one of the kids was able to explain what they needed to do to the other, re:ERP. Hurray for progress! take care, wendy in canada _______________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2001 Report Share Posted October 21, 2001 Oh my gosh, ! This is the best I've read in a while! Thanks for the giggle; I needed it. Melinda (who now realizes that along with her 15 yo ocd child, she also has a husky/shepherd mix named Sadie with ocd) > O.K., it's time for a little lightening up around here. So here is > what goes on at our house every morning: > The big sweet doofy black lab named Baloo gets fed. Then he finds his > current favorite rawhide bone and goes to the sliding door next to the > kitchen table. Standing there with the bone in his mouth, tail wagging, cuter > than any creature deserves to be, he waits until I open the door and let him > out. He goes out, rolls around with his bone for 30 seconds and then comes > back and asks to be let in (the heat has just gone on, so the door can't be > left open anymore). This is repeated a MINIMUM of 8 times and often more - in > and out, in and out... We have been joking for six months about his OCD, and > we tease him about whether he ended on an even or odd number. (My > kindergartener just told his class that his dog has OCD - none of them, > including the teacher, had a clue what he was talking about). My husband > claims to be immune to the cute begging face and tells us all to ignore him > (not that he does it or anything...). I always give in - a real sucker for > any animal. But Annie, the kid who has been working on her OCD for 2 years, > is adamant that we not allow this enabling anymore. She says " Mom, you're > just making it worse. He has to face up to the bad feelings that come when > you don't open the door!!! You're making his OCD worse!! Pretty soon he'll > start counting kibbles as he eats, or skipping steps as he goes upstairs! " > After some negotiation we have agreed to gradually reduce the number of laps > he is allowed to do each morning until it is just one. > I would gladly continue to open and shut the door 30 times a morning, > but I'm so pleased to see how well Annie has learned the principles of CBT > that I have to let her win this one. She must love being the one who has > conquered the OCD and can now advise us on how to help Baloo get over it! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2001 Report Share Posted October 21, 2001 Joni - Congratulations to . He certainly sounds as though he has learned his lessons very well. I wish we all could have been there to hear his answew to your " reassurance seeking " questions. I really think humor can be so helpful at times. And congratulations to you as well! Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2001 Report Share Posted October 21, 2001 Joni: You know you can get doggie insurance -- go for it girl and get the whole family involved in the medication mode. HA HA I loved it that is giving you advice; I bet he liked doing it too -- pay back time!!! Sometimes I think my dog, Lucky (mini-schnauzer), has anxiety disorder or ODD. When I leave he'll either get into the garbage, his treat dish or open up the lower cabinet door and get into his rawhides -- or conveniently find one of 's plastic toys and chews on it (he'll be two the end of November) -- the dog LOVES plastic!!! Tamra Re: CBT on pets > -- > I just LOVED this story!! I have a bordie collie with seperation > anxiety and get this, she follows me all over the house!! What's > going on here? Maybe pets pick their owners based on some kind of > internal OCD radar!! But, she whines and gets so freaked out > whenever I leave. Funny how I can take her whining and stalking > anyday over 's belly aching! > But, I know what you mean about feeling proud of Annie giving you > advise on how to handle the dog. I have a little earned " anxiety " > when my husband gets behind the wheel. I swear, the man doesn't > watch what he's doing! Well, once when I was having a semi-panic > attack (because he almost rear-ended another car for the 5th time > that week), well, advised ME for a change. He said, " mom-- > you're having an OCD moment. Boss it back! " > I decided to turn the tables and asked HIM some reassurance > questions, like " Are we going to die? How do you know? But, what if > another car gets in front of your dad? What if he hits that > telephone poll? What if a tornado blows us off the road? What if, > what if... " > He sez... " Geez, take a pill! And, I'm only gonna answer you ONCE, > got it? " > I died laughing... > Joni > P.S. Have you heard about the new 'doggie prozac' that's been out on > the market for a few years? It supposed to ease anxiety in dogs. If > I had one that BARKED all day (a sign of anxiety), I'd consider it. > But, geez, unfortunately--with the cost of medications just for > family members, our dog is last on our list! > > > > O.K., it's time for a little lightening up around here. So > here is > > what goes on at our house every morning: > > The big sweet doofy black lab named Baloo gets fed. Then he > finds his > > current favorite rawhide bone and goes to the sliding door next to > the > > kitchen table. Standing there with the bone in his mouth, tail > wagging, cuter > > than any creature deserves to be, he waits until I open the door > and let him > > out. He goes out, rolls around with his bone for 30 seconds and > then comes > > back and asks to be let in (the heat has just gone on, so the door > can't be > > left open anymore). This is repeated a MINIMUM of 8 times and often > more - in > > and out, in and out... We have been joking for six months about his > OCD, and > > we tease him about whether he ended on an even or odd number. (My > > kindergartener just told his class that his dog has OCD - none of > them, > > including the teacher, had a clue what he was talking about). My > husband > > claims to be immune to the cute begging face and tells us all to > ignore him > > (not that he does it or anything...). I always give in - a real > sucker for > > any animal. But Annie, the kid who has been working on her OCD for > 2 years, > > is adamant that we not allow this enabling anymore. She says " Mom, > you're > > just making it worse. He has to face up to the bad feelings that > come when > > you don't open the door!!! You're making his OCD worse!! Pretty > soon he'll > > start counting kibbles as he eats, or skipping steps as he goes > upstairs! " > > After some negotiation we have agreed to gradually reduce the > number of laps > > he is allowed to do each morning until it is just one. > > I would gladly continue to open and shut the door 30 times a > morning, > > but I'm so pleased to see how well Annie has learned the principles > of CBT > > that I have to let her win this one. She must love being the one > who has > > conquered the OCD and can now advise us on how to help Baloo get > over it! > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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