It's been an ongoing struggle since he was a puppy. Six weeks old in a pet store and woman tries to pet the little turd and he runs away like we beat him severely. It's embarrassing. It's like having one of those kids, in a fancy restaurant that keep screaming, "ME NO LIKE PEAS." Bangs fist on table like Tarzan. And, the poor parents look around giving that look of, "he doesn't normally act like this." While they say, "youaregoingtogetaspankingrightnowifyoudon'tstop." through clenched teeth. That's me. With a dog. It's mostly towards men, he just isn't social. It's been an ongoing struggle. One that makes me want to leave the premises as soon as it starts. It also makes me wonder what we did to cause this behavior to happen, and if at one year old, we can fix it.
Sarge on the other hand, is probably a little too friendly. He'll jump in your face and lick your makeup/beard off if you let him. Don't, though. It's not okay. Thank you. So when we take them to places I have to tell people. "You can ride the black one around like a little pony but don't touch the brown one." Where does a dog come off acting like this? They were both raised socialized, we take our dogs to the dog park about once a week, even still here in January. (Which the weather in Idaho is glorious right now if I do say so myself.)
Well, today, I think we may have had a tiny break through with Drake. They both came to work with me to get groomed. Upon entering the grooming area, Drake tried with all his strength to not go with strange lady in scary coat. He didn't bark or growl at the dogs that put their nose in his face and he went straight into the crate. And, I didn't hear a peep out of him the entire time. Sarge on the other hand was very vocal. Which kind of surprised me since it's usually the opposite. After I got off work, I decided to brave it up and take my $70 groomed dogs to the dog park in hopes they didn't get dirty. It worked, a little. Anything for the kids, right?
When we got there I crossed my fingers Drake wouldn't make a scene. Sarge plays well with the other dogs, and Drake's usually all business. He would play ball with you for hours if you let him. He will keep going until his legs don't go anymore. I didn't have a ball today, oops. Naturally, he was forced to play with other dogs. He didn't. But, he did let them smell him and he smelt them. And, he pranced around people happily and actually got close to them. If they put their hands down to pet him he would run away. BUT, PROGRESS PEOPLE, LOOK AT THE PROGRESS.
It gives me hope that even with his age, we can still break him of that habit, even a little bit. Tomorrow will be day two. It will be the first time in almost a year he meets his brother again. (My best friend got one when I did.) My fingers AND toes are crossed for tomorrow. Cross yours too.
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