I find this difficult.
George is a lunging, barking, anxious mess with me (outside of the house).
Then I drop him at the groomer, and they say he was “very good as usual.”
Daycare says, “He’s such a sweetheart with us.”
And he’s very different when we walk with my friend and her dog compared to when it’s just the two of us.
Obviously, I’m always thrilled to get that feedback and life would be extremely difficult otherwise. But it’s hard to imagine on some days.
I think there are a few reasons this happens:
-
Leash reactivity
At daycare, he doesn’t have the stress of the leash, and his “flight” option isn’t taken away. -
He’s picking up on my anxiety
I don’t think I was anxious before I had an anxious dog. But here we are. I know he can read even the slightest change in my emotions. -
He’s shut down at the groomer/daycare
I think this could be true to a certain extent at the groomer, but I believe he’s usually comfortable at daycare. -
He can be himself with me
Like children, dogs can act up more when they feel safe enough to show all their emotions. -
Safety in numbers
He definitely relaxes more when it’s not just me and him. -
Territory
He’s much more reactive near the house, which suggests some protective or territorial behaviour.
On paper, George’s behaviour makes sense to me. I understand why he’s more territorial around the home, why he picks up on my anxiety, and why he finds the leash challenging or prefers walking in a group.
But day to day, it’s still hard to stomach sometimes. Especially when he’s “fine” with everyone else and very challenging with me.