Indifference and neutrality

I remember thinking in puppy classes (once he had settled in) that I wish he was more interested in the other dogs. I wish he would play with them. Why is he ignoring them?

They were all playing together and George was just happily roaming around looking for treats.

He adored people up until about 8 months of age but was pretty indifferent to dogs. His first day report card at a daycare stated "loved the people, not bothered about the dogs".

As a small puppy he was timid, but he grew in confidence and was indifferent to most things around him.

I didn't appreciate this at the time. I didn't know how amazing it was.

I remember wishing George would sit up and look out of the window in the car. I saw other dogs having fun watching the world go by and wanted him to do that too.

When he stopped laying down in the car and barked continuously at the window, I wondered what on earth I had wished for.

I did know enough that practicing neutrality in busy environments was good. We spent a lot of time sitting calmly in parks watching from a distance. We visited skate parks and ferry terminals.

But I didn't celebrate and reward the neutrality enough.

Instead of wishing George was more social and played with the other dogs, I should have been thrilled that he felt neutral. I should have rewarded that more.

But you don't know until you experience it I guess. Now that George barks, screams and lunges at every dog and person, I can't believe I grumbled a little about his indifference.

I can understand why George is no longer neutral to dogs given he was chased and knocked over. But I can't pinpoint why his fear of people started. I guess it coincided with his fear of everything starting.

This is now my number one ideal goal. For him to be neutral in public, and indifferent to dogs and people. For him to not feel anxious or threatened. That would be a dream, a huge achievement, and I would treasure it so much.