Dear digvjmaniktala,
It sounds like you are taking very constructive steps with the neutering appointment and having secured a new trainer who is different from the previous persons.
Before going further, as one resource I would like to share this website:
Why TTouch® for Your Animal? - Tellington TTouch Training™
This organization doesn't have an office in India, but if you are able to get connected with one of the more seasoned practitioners of this method, even a single phone (or skype video) conversation may offer interesting insight from a new angle. Some TTouch (or tellington touch) practitioners are trained to teach owners a specific technique which involves sensitive touch.
Also I want to reiterate that my thoughts of support goes out to you, your mom, and your family as you go through this. You are courageous for seeking advice in a public forum. While people give you advice, they are simultaneously being taught by the experiential knowledge you are sharing, because what you are sharing from actual experience with your loved one is valuable information which is different from any theory, book-based knowledge, or even comparable stories. So while their (or my) advice may be of value and their giving spirit precious, more than anything your honest words, heartfelt sharing, and sincere efforts are teaching many including me. So first and foremost I salute you for staying in the fight so persistently and patiently for a member of your family who you clearly love so much, and in addition for opening yourself up to the world for the sake of your love for your dog. Somewhere someone who reads your words will be encouraged by your testimony in their own situation.
Your trainer sounds like he/she is taking the right (compassionate and conscious) approach, and I pray for blessings in the appointment.
In contemplating your latest updates, I am sharing the following as a possibility I wondered about (but not a certainty):
As dogs are so highly sensitive and intelligent, I wonder if he may have noticed that strangers are coming in to work on him. I wonder if Bruno may have even caught on to everyone's worry that if he/the trainers fail or make a mistake, that he may be given up. (In my own experience I have had both dogs and cats respond to my speech in ways that they could only respond through understanding of either the words or the accompanying non-verbal signals, so now I spell out certain things or don't let them hear the words at all if I suspect the conversation could be interpreted by them in a way to cause stress or hurt.) Even if Bruno hasn't figured everything out, since he is already in a vulnerable state with some sort of reaction of fear having been triggered, any stimuli with new people or new situations in his environment could cause a temporary escalation of this same condition caused by fear.
Over 20 years ago one day I had a panic attack out of the blue. This turned into a series of panic attacks that would be triggered by the strangest, most random things. I always think of how scary and indescribable these experiences felt, when I try to empathize with dogs or human struggling with such episodes of fear. I am blessed to have a family member who at the time would simply sit silently next to me, and hold my wrist and measure my pulse. This somehow would calm me just a little bit, and that little bit I was so grateful for, even though I was too scared to thank him in words during these episodes when simply breathing felt difficult. It didn't stop the panic attacks from happening, but it made it a little more bearable. Over the years the attacks became more infrequent and more manageable.
Having had those close to me (both animals and humans) struggling from more severe episodes, I am aware that what I experienced was relatively minor, and often the solution isn't as easy as what I experienced. However I also notice that dogs in general (in most societies) don't get the chance to heal even in basic ways when it comes to panic-attacks and fear-based behavioral situations. When they go through panic attacks oftentimes professionals label them as aggressive/dangerous (if they bark/growl/or use their mouths to keep people away) . Oftentimes professionals try to correct the symptoms, but what somehow gets forgotten is that the symptom may be very slow to change, and what sometimes needs to be modified is human expectations. Sometimes professionals have a tendency to try to fit dogs into a certain standard or timeframe when discussing behavior, but every dog is going through a unique situation and unique life, and we as humans (experts included) need to change our expectations and behaviors (moment-to-moment and long term) accordingly, even if it means doing things differently than ever before. When encountering a dog with a behavioral issue some professionals try to get quick results in order to demonstrate the value of their service to the client, and when the dog doesn't respond as desired they will eventually suggest to the owner that the dog is a problem dog or that the situation is beyond cure- when professionals take this approach it causes society to forget that the goal is to take the time to go deeper than the surface and reach the heart of the dog, rather than to rush to adjust the dog's surface behavior and try to quickly correct the symptoms. I know I am making a broad generalization, and there are many trainers and animal professionals out there who are heroes and nothing like what I described, but there are also those who do fit that description, enough for me to have come across several even in my limited experience.
If your trainer is able to put his purpose in action (helping grow Bruno's confidence with an understanding that he is suffering from fear) and works gently--carefully, always listening to/learning from the quiet messages from Bruno, with a willingness to continually modify his own energies and behaviors in response to these messages, and without rushing for results--I believe it will definitely be felt and appreciated by Bruno. It may take time for Bruno to be able to gradually ease out of his symptoms of fear and to be able to show just how much he appreciates everyone's help, but when working with the heart and nervous system sometimes change takes time. The nervous system including the brain is built for learning and change, so small improvement is always a possibility, and if nurtured with loads and loads of patience, small improvements, even very very small improvements, have the potential to eventually grow into significant improvement.
Your goodness and beautiful love for Bruno is palpable from your updates, and your efforts are incredible. I hope my thoughts are supportive to you and your family in some way. I know that I lack proper understanding of your unique situation. Please take only what is useful and ignore any statements I may have made in ignorance. I believe that in your wisdom and love you know best what Bruno needs, more than anyone else.
