Hello!!
This is a bit long but everything in bold italics is the meat of the post of you want to skip around the fluff.
So I am house/dog sitting 3 dogs for an acquaintance of mine for 2 1/2 weeks, ‘living’ in the house during that time, not just drop-ins… I have met the dogs a couple of times in the last month. When their mom was home, everything was great and they got a long with my dog well (she will be staying there too).
Cut to early this morning when I went over for the first time (my dog wasn’t w me). One of the dogs, Ronnie, was NOT happy with me being there. They other two were barking but calmed down quickly. Ronnie was loosing it. I thought they were regular “rando in the house” barks but they were scared/ aggressive ones. I turned my back to him to walk into the kitchen and he kept nibbling at my butt kind of hard (not enough to hurt but scary nonetheless). I went to my car to get treats to bribe him into liking me and that “worked” until the treat was gone. I made sure to keep my front facing him the rest of the time I was there. This helped for sure bc he didn’t get brave enough to come fuck with me again.
I’m hesitant about the treats bc I don’t want him to be “rewarded” for barking at me but I don’t know if that’s a thing. I also don’t want to have to give him treats the whole time obvs bc that’s not particularly healthy.
I’m going to be there for 2 weeks. I’m sure he will eventually warm up but I’m worried about my dog there bc she will not be stoked on a dog not being cool with me (big time Mama’s girl). She came with me when I met them before and everything went well, but their Mom was home and he obviously and understandably different without her there to assure him that I am a safe person.
Do y’all have any advice on how I should proceed when I get back there this afternoon?
How do I get Ronnie to be comfortable with me?
How do I deal with my dog being there too or should I arrange someone to watch her for a few days until Ronnie gets comfy with me?
I don’t want this to be a bad couple weeks for me, of course, but also for Ronnie. He’s a sweet rescue that is just uncomfortable and freaked out that Mom isn’t home.
TYIA for any and all replies. Much love.
Comments
This is going to be a bit more general of an answer than perhaps you need but;
My dog was very untrusting when we first got him, he was young and came from a bad home where he’d clearly been mistreated. His tendencies were to growl and bark at men and hide in a corner. The best thing I ever did that made him love me was to make myself small, unintimidating and never approach him directly, instead, give him room to move around me, keep the space open so he doesn’t feel trapped, and just offer my hand out until he chooses to come close to it. Don’t paw at him when he does, just let him adjust to the idea of your hands being near. Eventually you’ll be able to gently pet the dog and it will open up, but time is a massive factor in this. I can’t advise on introducing two different dogs as I haven’t handled that kind of situation, but for yourself it’s about showing the dog you’re not dangerous, and you’re not a threat.
Bacon