"New." I know Foster Dog has been with us nearly six months. I still feel like he's "new." I'm still getting to know him. Two nights ago, I learned he is intense and still unsure. We were on our evening walk and we encountered an unsure dog who charged and barked at us and backed away continuing to bark. That dog was on our right, Foster's favorite side, so I led Foster to walk behind me and to my left side to put myself between him and Luna and that dog. Foster was quite interested in that dog. Foster's ears were perky and he was looking to stare down that dog. Because that dog had backed away after charging, I felt confident that he was unsure and just barking to alert us to stay away. Foster's stare down could be the next step to a fight if I didn't remain calm and keep myself between everyone. That dog continued to bark and charge and retreat and I put my right hand up to communicate "Stop" to him as we continued walking by. Foster was pulling on the leash and darting his head from in front of me to behind me to in front of me to behind me. I stepped a little to the left to snap him out of his stare and, not on purpose, stepped on one of his front feet. He made a noise that sounded like a combination of a yelp and a growl, and he sort of spun around as if a bug was biting his back. This showed me he was stressed. Frustrated and unsure.
We quickly passed that dog, who had stopped barking, and I stopped us in some grass. Still keeping myself between my dogs and the direction of that dog, I said, "I got ya Foster Dog. I've got ya buddy," and kneeled down. Luna was her "whatever" self the whole time, but now thought maybe we were stopping for a treat break. Her ears became perky and she was very attentive. I told them both to lie down and we just paused for a minute. Foster Dog's ears went back and I thought, Ok, he's relaxed now. Only then did I give them each a little treat, and we continued with our walk. We stopped a few more times for treats and it was a great evening walk. Fun for us, and revealing to me. Foster Dog is still kind of "new." I've still got work to do in building our relationship.
Foster Dog has shown me several times that he is committed to us. I love when I call him and he approaches me with his head down and his ears back. He's coming to his Pack Leader! He also sweetly tucks his head under my chin when he's looking for a snuggle, just like a puppy or pack follower would do to his Mumma or Leader. He shows me that he knows I'm committed to him. It's a great feeling. What his behavior on that walk showed me though is that he, at times, still feels like he's out there on his own and is unsure if I'm there to protect him.
Dogs like that dog we encountered charge and bark from the school of The Best Defense Is A Good Offense, or I'll Bite You Before You Have A Chance To Bite Me. These academic programs can get a dog into a lot of trouble, but I understand the concepts. I'm working to teach Foster that I've got him covered and there's no need for him to be preemptive or respond. I've got it covered. It is my job to take care of him and everything we encounter. I tried to communicate that by putting myself between Foster and that dog, and by putting my hand up to Stop that dog. Most importantly, I tried to communicate safety and calm but not freaking out that a dog was barking and charging. I stayed calm, and Luna stayed calm, and with more experience, I think Foster Dog will stay calm. He's going to learn that I've got him covered and we're going to keep walking by barking dogs. Any dog that does approach us will be my responsibility because "I've got you covered Buddy!"
Some of the sweetest moments that show me Foster Dog is learning to love and trust us and be comfortable in his home involve Luna. Sweet Sweet Luna. Yesterday, as I snuggled my puppies who were lying on the floor near each other, Foster Dog tucked his head under my chin as a submissive pack member might, and Luna rolled over nearly on top of him to reveal her adorable belly and request a scratch. Yes, she too is a submissive pack member, but she's also very smart and intuitive and wouldn't reveal her belly without trust that I have her covered and without feeling comfortable that Foster Dog could handle her rolling on him! Then this morning, Foster laid down in the kitchen and rolled on his side. He was just so cute I had to get down on the floor and snuggle him. He wagged his tail...I love that. But even better, Luna walked over to see us and sniff him and Foster wagged his tail harder. Sometimes I'm alone, but I'm never lonely. There's love in this house!
No comments:
Post a Comment