A few days ago, David was sitting at the table looking at a book and absently giving Tommy scratches. He got up, holding the book, and as usual when an object is being held up close to Tommy, he fled cringing. David sat back down, and proceeded to urge Tommy to come closer and sniff the book, showing it to him, then showing it to Tasha who was befuddled as to what the big deal was about a book, and praising and praising Tommy. He would get up and start acting silly with the book getting the dogs excited. Every time Tommy retreated, he'd sit back down and work his way back up to standing again.
He worked with this a good 30+ minutes. I was right there adding my praise and support too. We finally got to the point where David could get up and hold the book in the air and Tommy just watched curiously, seeing what crazy thing Dad would do next with it.
Ever since then, I've been holding stuff out to him constantly, any and every object I happen to be picking up. A remote, a dumbell weight, a soda can, just whatever. Today, a little while ago, for the first time I held out something to him that he was unfamiliar with, and he didn't back away or cringe! He cautiously snuffled it! I'm going to keep on with showing him things, but I am so thrilled that we have finally made a breakthrough! I just had to share.
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- and especially being so young it's even harder to help 'unlearn' his fear. It must be happy for everyone to be able to get him to trust objects. Good thing you came along to help him! 
I miss you
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