Risa enjoys some serious playtime with foster boy, Jagger.

Risa is making great progress in tolerating Jagger’s presence in the home. He still comes on too strong when I first let him loose which Risa finds a major turnoff. The other night, she refused to come back into the living room while he was there. She simply lay in the hallway even after Jagger had made himself comfortable on the dog bed. I was eventually able to convince her to join us and she curled up on the couch out of his reach. Even when Jaggy put his face right in hers or came over to steal some loving from me she did not react. I could tell she wasn’t thrilled but she barely even made a whale eye. Huge progress for her.

Eventually, she decided she did want to play with him and started batting him with her paws. This lead to all out games of wrapping each other up, playing bitey face, and chasing each other around the room. I really wish Risa weren’t convinced that outdoor play is strictly for playing with ME and would play with Jagger outside as well. It would be a lot more fun for everyone. And I wouldn’t have to wonder how long it will be before something goes flying or gets broken. 😉

I was also finally able to get a new photo of Risa with Santa Claus. It’s a foolish goal that only serves me but I feel bad that the only one I have is 6 years old. Just like the one taken then, the person playing Santa was one Risa knew. She was hesitant at first as she saw a odd-looking stranger. Once her nose took over, however, she remembered her friend and was completely comfortable getting pets from Santa. 🙂

She was actually really good at the event too. It wasn’t super crowded but there were many people, some kids, and a couple dogs there. Ris actually met two of the dogs and pretty much avoided the others without issue. She only had one minor reaction but it was nothing more than a mild stiffening that I stopped simply by calling her name. Risa accepted petting from several people and she even licked a young girl’s face. That’s pretty huge for Risa considering how afraid of kids she is.

Ho ho holy crap. Risa actually sat with Santa for a photo again!

Unfortunately, she showed her fearful nature while we were there. There was a bell choir performing and the sounds really bothered her. She was only a bit concerned at first and was able to get over it. However, as the songs went on, there was a certain tone that terrified her. Risa didn’t want to stay; she wanted to leave. She wasn’t afraid of being near Santa for her photo; she was worried about the bells. I gave her some time to try and calm down but she wasn’t having it. I took her outside for a break and then brought her back in. But she was just too scared to keep her there. I brought her back to the car and ended my visit early.

For the most part, she acts like she’s comfortable wherever I take her. Her fearful nature is generally well-hidden. I usually have to tell people how afraid she is and that she is not a confident dog. Yet this was one of the times I needed to remind myself that that is who she is. She is a fearful dog and it will still show up on occasion. I hadn’t even considered that the bells would bother her. Still, she did well for herself. I did too. Before, I probably would have essentially told her to “suck it up” and not listened to hear plea to leave. This time, I listened. Even if I would have rather stayed.

Overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, Jagger mouths my arm. (Fortunately, he has a very soft mouth or I wouldn’t be foolish enough to wait him out. Or photograph him doing it.)

Jagger is a dog who lived the first years of his life by his own rules. His mantra is “If it feels good, do it!” No one ever effectively told him he couldn’t do something. And, if you tried, boy would he throw a tantrum. That’s how he was when he came to stay with me. He did what he wanted and, if I told him “No,” he pitched a fit. Jumping up, zooming around the room, mouthing me, pulling on my clothes. He simply did not know what to do when he didn’t get his way.

I was not forceful in setting up the rules. I simply waited him out. Blasting out of the kennel when I opened it was not permitted. If he tried, I closed the door on him, waited, then tried again. If he jumped on me, I turned into a statue and waited for him to calm down before returning my attention to him. When he mouthed me, I stood completely still and was no fun at all (I would never recommend doing this with a dog who didn’t have a soft mouth and, even then, this is probably a wee bit foolish but it worked!). I think everyone, human or canine, needs rules in their lives. We all benefit from knowing what is expected of us.

Jagger has been doing better with the limitations placed on him in the month he’s been here. I’ve noticed he’s much calmer and less frantic though there are still times he will throw a temper tantrum when I ask him not to do something. For example, I got a new couch and have decided he is not allowed up on it. He jumped on it last night and I stood up and used a bit of body pressure to move him off. He got back up. I used my hand to cue/lure him off and he started zipping around and mouthing my foot. I waited him out but he did not stop so I put him back in the x-pen for a time out. I told him “No.” He didn’t like it. He acted out. He did not get what he wanted. 😉 In fact, the fun stopped completely.

Risa tells Jagger to “Back off” as she guards a possession from him.

What I find extremely humorous is that he not only throws temper tantrums in regards to humans setting the rules but with dogs as well! Risa is a dog who sets very clear rules regarding how you interact with her. She has never liked very rough play nor being jumped on. She also guards toys and me from other dogs especially when she’s still uncomfortable around them. When she does play with other dogs, she sets clear boundaries. If another dog doesn’t follow her rules, she will not play with them.

Yesterday, I had both Risa and Jagger out in the yard to play. I feel comfortable enough with the two of them outside together that I have been playing fetch with them both. (Not sure it’s really fetch considering neither dog will actually bring a toy back to me. But I’m throwing toys nonetheless.) Risa is still guarding the toys from Jagger but it has not escalated so I’ve felt comfortable letting her tell him to back away. The thing is, when she tells him he cannot access the toys, his response is very similar to the ones he gives to me. He gets crazed zoomies, tries to engage her in play, and gets overly aroused (hackles up). He’s so used to doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted that he simply doesn’t know how to handle being told “No” by anyone!

Unfortunately for him, the world is full of rules. And if he wants to get adopted he’ll need to learn to follow the rules of human society. I have no doubts he’ll embrace the rules and be a wonderful companion. He’s already made amazing strides in that respect. And, given that this household is run by two beings who have distinctive boundaries, he couldn’t be in a better place to learn.