After the Glitter Fades

Toad is changing. He's trusting enough to show me his true self. The changes were subtle at first, like he's testing to see if it's really safe. He reverts back to old habits, tests newly acquired commands. He demands more and sleeps deeper.

Getting his nails to a point where he no longer corners like Cramer entering a room on an episode of Seinfeld has also allowed him to more confidently jump. Jump off the sofa or on, traction playing a big part.  He jumps on the patio door. There are failed attempts to jump onto the counter. Jumping on/at me. Jump.

He's more sure footed, so he's climbing. Onto anything he can. Like into the toy box (which rolled over onto him) or onto the stool next to the crate (which slid out from under him) and up on the stand next to the sofa (which granted him some coffee goodness).

 Most adult dogs that are re-homed go through a honeymoon phase. Ours appears to be ending.  Just like a a husband leaving his dirty socks on the floor, Toad is more willing to push his luck,To explore, to adventure and to figure things out. He's pushing that nose into the crock that holds the kibble. He's ignoring known commands. He tests to see if I'll follow through on every-single-request, of course I do, I know part of why he is feeling comfortable is because of the boundaries and expectations I've set. Dogs thrive knowing they can relax and be a dog, while someone else will look after the details. VERY few dogs are actually meant  to be an alpha in the true sense of the word. Most thrive being beta. Alpha has a lot of responsibilities that most crumble under, and eventually act out.

We have gone through 4 collars... the spike one he came with, a flashy red leather one, a great martingale and he's currently using a training collar (choke chain for the older readers).  He's acting out much in the same way a child does prior to new skills being acquired. He's frustrated, he's exhausted from so many new words/rules/training sessions. He is chewing through toys at a fast pace in an effort to work out his frustration. He wants to let go of "looking after himself" and enjoy being a dog, cocoon to butterfly stage, and it's hard. He's looking at leaving everything  that has gotten him through life so far.

 He's falling into deep sleeps, and that was my final piece of the puzzle. He's dreaming, and making the little dream movements and squeaks. He trusts enough to let his guard down. If woken abruptly now, he comes awake fast and disoriented. This is where some dogs will bite, they are so confused for a few moments. The feral fosters I worked with in Calgary would take 6 months to get to this point. Worried me the first time it happened! I work with big dogs that can do a lot of damage in a hurry. So for now, I calmly call his name and allow him to wake up. I can see he is still a little confused for a moment, but there is no scared factor.


He is also comfortable enough to relax, to sleep, to snuggle, to trust... and this minor blip will pass soon enough. For now, training is left to known commands and not stressing new ones. It's a good sign that he is so settled. It's telling that he's been here for almost 10 weeks now, and only truly starting to trust that this is forever. Most dogs fall into this to some extent within the first 2-3 weeks, the feral dogs 6 months... Toad, who wasn't truly a pet nor feral falls in the middle.