I suppose I am endlessly fascinated with our communications between species. It *is* difficult enough to communicate within-species at times. There is so much that gets in the way of what we intend and what someone else hears, and sometimes the intent is heard loudly above the words. In other words, we don’t always use words, and sometimes we just don’t use our words well. The reactions and interpretations of humans are often clear before words emerge, sometimes to a much greater extent than the human is aware of. So, when we can connect and communicate across species, I do find it fascinating.
This morning was the culmination of a long, wet, muddy week. The girls enjoyed some outside time, thanks to the cooler weather, but not enough exercise still – my obstacles this week. And, this morning is of course FRIDAY! Yesterday I had been wondering whether the favorite day of the week was being forgotten, or confused due to the odd schedule of people over the past few weeks and the 4th of July holiday. And speaking of the 4th of July holiday, the big girl was particularly unhappy. Greg and I had been in Joplin and decided to go to a restaurant before coming home in the evening. When we got back, there were about 20 wet tufts of hair spread across the floor. My fault again! Jade isn’t comfortable with storms or fireworks, and she got both while we were gone. Had we been there, she would have slept, or pretended to sleep, but she wouldn’t have appeared to most to be uncomfortable, although she would have been staying close. With the girls being stuck at home by themselves, apparently her stress took over. I couldn’t find any wet areas on Banner, and not much on Jade, although after they had been outside, it wasn’t clear, but I’m sure those came from Jade. Anxiety can drive a girl to do odd things, like chew on her coat. Jade is our second Newf to be storm-concerned. She isn’t as stressed about it as Brit was, but I knew that both storms and fireworks made her uncomfortable. I’m not sure where she took the hair off; she has plenty left. She has a heavy layer of that post-spay downy, cottony coat. And with all of the rain and humidity, it is looking very full. Pretty nice to squeeze when she wants a hug, but difficult to feel the dog underneath. (and this bushy thick coat is much better than when she had pyo and lost all of her undercoat)
So, back to this being Friday. Last night, both girls wanted to lie outside and watch for Greg. The first night someone is gone is less surprising these days, but by the second night, it’s time for everyone to be back in the pod. The third night leads to concern. Last night was the second night, this week. The girls had to go to bed without everyone being here. This morning, the little girl was the first to wake. Her tolerance is better than it used to be, but she made it clear that limits were being met. When I got up to let her out, as I climbed down the steps from the bed, she cursed a blue streak! In dog speak. She doesn’t hesitate to express her opinion, or to use foul language when the mood suits her. And since we find it amusing, she doesn’t hold back! I can’t be certain about everything that is on her mind, but this much I know: 1) I was being too slow to suit her. 2) It was Friday again, so we needed to get into gear. 3) Everything that follows getting up in the morning needed to proceed quickly, as based on her opinion, we were too far behind daybreak already. Fridays are a bit like Christmas, and the more bored the Newf, the more excited they are when Friday arrives.
Most Newfs are opinionated, at least in our home, but Banner has more confidence in her opinion, or the importance of her opinion, than most of the others have, necessitating more dialog. That’s right, “dialogue”, not “monologue”. I get to hear her side of things, and very clearly. I tend to speak to them in complete sentences, although I’m sure they hear key words. For example, I enjoyed a sub sandwich for lunch, and the girls enjoyed a bit of bread, meat and cheese with a little sauce. As I walked away to wash my hands from the messiness of the sandwich, coated with some slime, I noticed that Banner didn’t follow. She’s three now, and she behaves more responsibly, most of the time. I said, “Banner, if it’s in the trash, leave it,” referring to that wonderful-smelling wrapper. What she heard that made sense to her was probably “Banner trash leave-it”, enough to get the point across. She walked over and laid near Jade. Speaking in full sentences helps me keep a thought in context more than it helps them, and it includes the familiar terms that let them interpret: Blah-blah-blah – treat, blah-blah-blah – go outside, blah-blah-blah – water, and so forth. I find that Newfs are very smart, and they learn quickly. What helps them learn best is timing and being consistent. Looking at them to be sure I have their attention helps them learn that they can depend on me to hear as well as talk. I find that a preconceived idea that a dog is “dumb” only causes people to see evidence of what they believe and not realize the full potential of a bond. This was first made abundantly clear with a girl that I took from Rescue one time, who was not supposed to be very bright. As it turned out, the humans who had her were the ones who were not very bright. Later, I got some very good training from Banker. He increased my expectations in so many ways, and when he didn’t understand, something that happened rarely, he would give me such a look that it was painful. He didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and it hurt instantly when I realized that I was expecting too much from him. So, I learned to test their reaction before forming an expectation.
So, I think I’m a reasonably well-trained human, until someone new comes along to show me what I don’t yet know. Thank goodness for learning opportunities!
And Happy Friday!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016