I think I've mentioned a couple of times that Boyo's breeders think he's a very social puppy. It is a truth with modification, I would like to say. He is very social with me and people he has met several times. People he hasn't met (if they don't know how to greet a dog that wants some distance to begin with) He is a bit more distant than I would like.
Pictures from one of today's short walks with Boyo and Lilo.
How I notice that it is this way?
It is not so hard. When we meet someone who enters our little bubble, Boyo gladly backs up a few steps to get an overview of the person approaching. He does not appreciate people approaching quickly and taking liberties with petting him, but he prefers to approach himself at his own pace. When he has had a little sniff of the person in question, then he can think of saying hello.
This is extremely different to what I'm used to. Ella has always loved everything and everyone, and as soon as someone has looked at her, led a little and maybe even said a little word, she has rushed forward to greet and more or less demanded attention and cuddles. She even used to roll over on her back and open her stomach to be petted.
Boyo kommer in all probability not to behave that way.
I feel myself cleft to this. On the one hand, I'm so used to having a dog that loves everything and everyone and gets completely hysterical as soon as someone looks at her. On the other hand, it is quite difficult, and actually quite embarrassing. But on the other hand again; having a dog that is a little more wait-and-see can, of course, if you don't do it right, become difficult, that with.
How my thought process if it seems?
Countless are the stories of dogs that become “aggressive” and growls or even bites if you get too close. There are of course reasons why the dog does this, and one of them can be people's lack of respect for how the dog wants to be greeted. Some dogs don't like you getting too close too fast. Others don't like being petted by strangers. Still others prefer to be patted on the back rather than on the head.
Now is not this a problem – than. But it could be, if I don't address it and be very clear about the people who want to meet the sweet puppy, with what applies.
And what applies is the following; meeting Boyo for the first time (or if it was a long time ago) should one ignore him. You must not stoop down and pipe loudly and stretch your hand over his head. One should refrain from looking directly at him, you must stand still and talk to me instead of him. About, and if so when, Boyo himself approaches, it is ok to say hello in a calm and composed way. If and when Boyo himself backs down, is it finished.
Why do I want to keep it that way?
Because I wants to give Boyo positive experiences of people approaching. For now, he's a puppy, and I want him to have as many positive experiences as possible, rather than negative. And people who press on just because he's a puppy and think they have the right to forcefully cuddle him unfortunately don't have such positive experiences.
I'm going to take give me the freedom to pat myself on the back for seeing this even now. Because I do, and my dog's well being is more important to me than someone else's invented right to pet my puppy. And I don't want to be the reason why Boyo eventually lifts his lip, growls or snaps at the air because someone is getting too close to his private space.
So it is my responsibility to make sure that doesn't happen. And I do that best by setting clear boundaries for people who want to visit the sweet puppy.
Might add that it is extremely interesting to discover differences and similarities (which so far are not that many) between Ella and Boyo. ♥