Upon K's arrival, here's how we started feeding her. Us sitting on the ground, her baby gated in the kitchen and gently tossing her kibble one at a time. This again is all about relationship building - this was her first meal with us, you can see she's worried - notice how her body looks tense. Also me talking to her isn't soothing so, for now I try to stay quiet and no staring directly at her while she's eating. Notice I say try to stay quiet... easier said than done!
One thing I've noticed, I tend to talk to the dogs in a higher pitch, louder voice that at times is more sing song. My husband is quieter in tone and not a sing song type of guy. When he talks to her, she doesn't tense up and in fact she will move closer to him. Huh, more info to take in and for me to adjust my ways with K helping her move forward. Another good example that all dogs are different. You have to pay attention and keep an open mind for what does and doesn't work well for a particular dog. We can have a framework but, we need to be flexible in adjusting it.
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Interesting. A high pitched voice is probably more startling than a low deep voice.
ReplyDeleteWhere do most of the dogs you get come from?
Yes, you are correct. And with a dog that has not be socialized around people that starling tone is scary. Our dogs come for Central CA (Fresno and surrounding area). We rescue from that area do to severe over population which leads to high euthanasia in the shelters. It's an economically depressed area and this contributes to so many animals, not enough adopters and not enough rescue groups.
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