I washed the dogs yesterday. Both were fine, not needing to be wrangled. Good dogs. Sage cried a lot though while I washed Rei, which is different- but since he got in the tub when asked, he wasn’t too upset. He was good in the tub. He licked my face, but I am big enough to know know this was not “I love you, this is a great bath” but appeasement “Please make this bath okay, I dont like it.” We hate to think it isn’t adoration, but in some cases like this one where he is anxious, I must admit it was appeasement. I didnt linger over his bath. Much praise, snug towelling, then I released him out the door and Jeff let him out with Rei to dry in the sun outside while I picked up all the towels and wet dog hair.
I went out on the deck to dry them some more, and comb them. Rei is short work- her coat is not thick. She gleamed and smelled wonderful. Sage has grown his thickest winter coat ever. I have been thinking this was due to his raw diet and 2x weekly tripe, but a the snow and ice has melted I am reminded that mother nature gave everyone an ample winter prep- we had more acorns and pinecones than I ever remember. So maybe he was just following the acorns.
All this extra thick coat is going to blow at some point, it’s starting now and I figured I’d comb him thoroughly while we were outside and see if he’d give up a lot of coat. Rei was done and actually wanted to go back inside- she stood by the door. We combed nearby with the sheddin’ loop, the undercoat rake and the pin brush. The fluff rolled across the deck when the wind picked up. Sage turned away as I tried to comb the densest fur around his breeches, his rump and hips. He licked his lips and stepped away. But I just held his collar and got a better angle.
We had wandered in this brushing dance around the deck a bit and found ourselves close to Reilly as she waited patiently for me to finish Sage and open the door for her. Sage became still and tight, he wrinkled up his nose and showed Rei his teeth. He growled at her. She stood firm but turned her head away. I was surprised he was gargoyling Reilly for no reason, I told him NO seriously, but not loudly, and steered him away from her, redirecting his attention. Jeff let Reilly inside and I stayed with Sage. He growled some more, but it was not AT ME, but about the situation. I told him GENTLE, and praised him for calming down. This annoying brushing had gone on too long and he had had more than enough of how much it pulled his coat. I drew the rake across the easy areas: his back - not his rump- a few times and down his chest, then I let him go. He shook off and walked around before settling down beside me on the deck. I stroked his ruff with my hand.
What was that? He did tell me clearly that he was not feeling comfortable about the bath, and I knew it. But he needed it and into the bath he must go. He was appeasing while in the bath, and I sped things up for him. I hear, you it’s necessary though, so I’ll make it quick. At brushing he tolerated that until I got to the back half, then he clearly communicated that it pulled his coat too much. He tried subtle signals (licking, etc), he tried to turn away and finally he redirected his frustration at Reilly, because he would not growl at me, who was actually doing the annoying brushing.
He will always be reactive, and he has a very intense communication which is really scary to most- who are used to really tolerant dogs who just take it and smile- but he was actually very fair and clear. I was just intent on brushing him completely, and thinking I could do a little more, and that he should handle it. But who am I or anyone to say what another should be able to handle? They are who they are, and Sage was able to tell me (and Rei- who deserves much credit for turning away and letting me manage Sage. She knows I have him.) that he was completely pissed about it now. I should have listened earlier, but it is clear where the end of his fuse is.
I thought about how we talk and listen to dogs- doing this little dance between I am the decider, and I get it that you hate this. But a good leader (of anyone) understands the capacity of the led, reads them, has the burden of deciding to go on, stop or redirect and what style to deliver the decision. I let Sage go too far this time, but the gift in this situation was that he showed rebound- he calmed down, and after I cautiously gave them some time apart he was bowing to Reilly and playing their usual games again. Watching Reilly is good to test whether I am reading dogs right, because if she is unworried, then I don’t worry about, either. Outside just now, Sage was lying on the deck and she stepped over his belly to get by- they have no worries between them.
I think his medication is performing well, (or maybe I am getting better and better as his handler too) since he was able to be managed through these strong feelings- in the past when I have seen him get that angry I have had great difficulty redirecting him and getting him to snap out of it. I am encouraged that he does ‘let it pass’ with assistance and maybe I write him off too soon from being with other dogs if he has a disagreement now. One and done forever. maybe its One and cool off and then see if we can go on lightly. When he got angry at Rainey, he was able to walk on leash behind her as long as we all were in motion and she did not get close or attempt to engage him in conversation of any kind.
Sage is a subtle, intense guy, you really have to pay attention and believe him and choose well concerning him. After 4 years I am still learning much, and I think actually he is, too.
