Tucker is making progress! Yay!
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thats really good news.
Hows he doing with biting & snapping at people?
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He's still iffy with that. Thing is, Tuck has NEVER 'gone after' anyone. He only reacts when strangers try to pet him like they would a slobbering Labrador. When he's on the tennis court with the other dogs, he's bumping in to people and sometimes jumping up on them to say hi, but because I've told everyone he's not very well socialized, they all keep their hands away from him (since they know dogs, having one of their own) and there's never been an incident. I mean, a complete stranger could probably come into my house and sit right next to Tucker on the sofa and he wouldn't get bitten. But if this stranger tried to touch Tucker, all bets are off. Jerry, who owns Roxy (the shephard looking 48lb dog), can pet Tucker no problem. Tucker actually likes him, but it took time for it to be that way. Tucker sometimes warms to a person right away and goes right to them and sits and leans right on them. Others, he drops his ears when they come near him. I haven't been able to figure out the difference in the people.
Since it's still iffy with him, I'm not willing to take the risk with strangers/random people. I'm still slowly introducing him to new people who come into my house. I started dating a girl about 3 months ago and she was pushing Tucker around in about a month (and, of course, I don't mean that literally, just that she can pick him up…move him when he steals her spot on the sofa, etc - not an easy place to get with regard to Tucker). She also has the sheep dog, so she knows dogs and doesn't have the fear that dogs pick up on and exploit if they are Alpha's like Tuck.
This is one of the fears I have about the dog park. Just takes one aloof stranger to assume that Tucker is a sweet and innocent dog, reach for him, lose a finger, sue me, take all I have and put me into poverty for the rest of my life... Keeping a close eye on him is much easier. Most people will listen when you tell them he bites if you reach for him, but some persist with their stupidity because they think they 'have a way with animals' just because they own a dog.
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Your dog sounds a lot like mine and it sounds like you are dealing with it in the same way I do. Control the situation and your dog vs. letting something you will regret later.
Sounds like you're doing great and the fact you're trying, is great in itself.
Funny that they are both male Tri's and look like brothers???
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Oh it doesn't stop there….my Topaz is like that to a T :) She's very finicky about people. I don't know what criteria she's using to judge them but some people are cool & others well if you touch you get a bite :eek:
I think it's fear driven. Some people take too many liberties to just run up to a dog & pet them like they're Lassie. Other people who are much more dog saavy do better around her especially after I give specific warning that she does NOT like to be approached.
And she's a r/w...they must be from the same litter...Topaz has a Tri marker :D :D :D
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Funny that they are both male Tri's and look like brothers???
You know what is really peculiar? Check out Floyd on the rescue site:
http://basenjirescue.org/DOGS/PA/PA-TabbyFloyd.asp
To make it easier, he's the top right. You'll 'recognize' him right away. I'd swear this was Tucker (and possibly yours) if his tail was partial like Tucker's… There are subtle differences in markings, of course...but still.
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LOL
When we used to have litter reunions, once they start running everywhere, you can't tell who's dog is who's.
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Taking this one step further… Tucker met my GF's mother's sheepdogs on easter Sunday. Tucker and FOUR sheepdogs all playing together was quite a site! Video forthcoming... Tuck kept 'hugging' one of the sheepdogs. It was almost like he thought it was a big teddy bear. He wasn't nipping in play or anything, just....HUGGING it like he liked the way it's fur felt. The video will show more of this once I get it edited and up on the site...
Additionally, just yesterday we met with the dogs at the tennis court/dog park and Tucker was playing with a Rottweiler! That is truly something I never thought I would see... The rotty was a sweetheart, though. Tuckers entire head could fit in that girl's mouth. Wow... Tucker and an adult Lab, and adult mutt mix, a lab puppy and a rottweiler. Just can't believe it. :) Not a snarl in da house!
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Spam…....
