The Neurotic Dog: The Sequel

Arthur is not a camper.

The outdoors has no comfortable chairs, so Arthur wanders around the campsite in misery, until someone lays a blanket on the dirt. He will briefly settle there, but jump up at any indication that they might be leaving for home.

His humans insist that he come with them on hikes and canoe trips. The hikes are fine, just a walk in the woods, but being on a boat makes Arthur positively distraught. He must be picked up physically and placed in the canoe. Once inside, he watches dry land move swiftly away from him. He stared mournfully at the human paddler. When would this fresh hell be done with? From a training perspective, this first camping experience for a dog like Arthur was pretty spot on. To help ease the transition from his plush life to the wilds of the woods, adding a few more familiar items from home, such as favorite treats, a blanket, toys, his dog dishes - anything with the sight and smell of reassurance - would have made Arthur a bit more comfortable with his surroundings.

Once camping trips are frequent and therefore normal blips in Arthur's life, he will gradually become accustomed to the disruption and maybe even look forward to a trail hike or two. But don't expect him to gleefully dash into the lake, or lie by the fire on a bed of pine boughs. After all, he IS still neurotic.