Never Knew a Stranger
"The true white of snow gives the lie to colors that seem to be white on snowless days. Against the new snow, our farmhouse, newly painted two years ago, shows a graying in the paint and a dun dusting from the road. We think of it as a white house, but it is rather far off-white on snowy days. And how odd the "yellow" lab dog looks against pure white. Tsuga's markings become conspicuous-- especially the darker places. The back legs above the feet, the tip of his tail and ears--all show red-foxy tones. On the bank behind the house, his darkest parts match the tawny broomsedge standing bent in the snow." ~ Fragment
And leaving the sensory experiences behind, I suppose this is as good a place and time as any for a dog-parent's lament. It's just like with kids: if somebody comes by that you were really anxious to get to know your precious darling, to see how mature and bright they've become since the last visit from said guest, well...you can be sure little Suzie (or Tsuga) will pitch a royal tizzie, putting on their very worst behavior. You just wanna crawl in a hole and die.
"He never acts like this when it's just us here. I don't know what gets into him" we say, explaining away the tantrum as a flaw of nature rather than nurture.
And so, we must offer our apologies to the neighbor who stopped to chat in front of the house last week, only to have the dog insist he MUST put paws on the man's shoulders while the fellow sat there with his engine idling and his car window down. And to the St. Lawrences, who even brought the dog a treat and then to have him become the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil right before their astonished eyes!
Should we ignore his attention-seeking? Try distraction? Time out? Counseling? But then the close encounter with his inner demon passes, the visitors (understandably) move on, and Tsuga reverts to the model best-friend he almost always is to us. Not to suggest he doesn't have his encounters with his inner wolf, even then--for instance, when he digs away the mulch from our blueberrie bushes as he's doing in this picture. He'll do anything for a rodent morsel. Moles and mice are two specific triggers that push his buttons. Hmmm. I wonder: if we had a half dozen field mice frozen in a ziplock bag when the next house guest comes by...
Comments
Tsuga needs socialization...just as with youngin's you have take a young dog out into the world...if his only experience of outsiders is those who come in his territory he will not learn there are boundries when dealing with strangers...he sees them as entertainment that comes to him. Your visitors are a vertible smorgasbord of new smells that a dog wants to get his nose on. Remember you're dealing with pack mentality and what do dogs do when they meet? They get up close and personal.
You might begin taking Tsuga with you into town on short trips...when you run errands. Leave him in the truck for a few visits so he gets the idea that there is a world with all sorts of sights and smells outside his boundries. Then take him into dog friendly places for a few minutes, no more than 10 minutes at a time. Just not really noisy places in the beginning. A confused dog is a fearful dog and fear can result in agressive behavior, even with the sweetest, gentlest of dogs. It's a pre-programmed reaction.
When you have him in public you have to keep the information flow constant...you must have his attention and visa-versa. You can't stumble along with your own thoughts, unaware of what the dog is smelling/seeing/hearing and expect him to know what to do.
You might also try a head collar, as they make it almost impossible for him to lunge, barge and jump up...the head collar doesn't restrict his breathing or doesn't hurt him any way...but he will not like it on his face much at first. Snoot loops is the best, you can only get them online...the ones at the pet store are too rough and a dog has very tender skin, like our own. I suppose it's no accident that Snoot Loops "poster dog" is a springer. Whaddya expect when you get a dog called a "springer' fer peets sake.
:^)
http://www.snootloop.com/
Harley has learned that if he barges, jumps or is unruly that he has to wear the snoot loop for a while...it calms him right down. Tsuga, like Harley, is a young dog...so he will become overwhelmed with joy, smells, etc. and forget his manners from time to time...just like a toddler.
Posted by: BJ | January 31, 2005 5:32 PM
Oh...forgot to add...see if your local library has a copy of
"No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way"
Barbara Woodhouse was an eccentric Englishwoman with a hugely popular TV program in the 80's and a very effective method of dog training. She made the term "walkies!" popular in the UK...you know how the Brits love dotty older women who have a special talent or gift.
Posted by: BJ | January 31, 2005 6:11 PM