With Pinta being a stray we have no idea of her history at all. Ellie was always more fearful of men than women, but Pinta's reactions are different from Ellie. Her body language is different and less of an aggression/guarding type behaviour and more of utter fear. She cowers, her tail is so far under her her bum tucks in, her ears are flat, and her eyes move very rapidly. That dog is genuinely terrified of these things and I don't know why
She jumped out of her skin before because I touched the back of her head! It saddens me to think of what she's been through. You dunno where they've come from, how they end up as a stray, how other people have treated her, you know?! Plus being in season will make her feel weird as well. You do get some behavioural changes when they're in season.
The only strangers I've seen her meet outside were me, Mum, and then Rachelle at the kennels. I can't risk taking her out while she's in season, so she has only met new people inside the house so far. My feeling is that outside she will probably just ignore or shy away from people. She does seem to like dogs though and the kennel people said she was ace with dogs - they share kennels and exercise in pairs/groups. So that's something! Coz it means we should be able to walk with doggy friends and I wont have to always walk them separately
That's something to look forward to!
Ah Tetris I believe dogs can fit in with most lifestyles. But it is a massive commitment and a big drain on money and time and effort. I'm already planning ahead to when her free insurance runs out, when she needs to be booked in for neutering, I've preliminary booked her on some basic training classes and found another place that does obedience, flyball, and agility classes, i've started her registration up at work, etc.....
I do think anyone who would like a dog can have a dog. But it's hard work and you do have to make sacrifices and compromises
Patty I'm pretty annoyed that John has met her twice now without me there to supervise and take charge of the situation. If I can help it this dog will get better and not more damaged. I am pretty p*ssed off
He means well, but he just doesn't "get it" and it's a big risk that someone could mess up the next 10+ years of a dogs life. BUT she was pretty good with Martin, so I think I am being a bit harsh. She just needs time and patients and not some stubborn bugger messing it up! x