Akuma is being weird...Thoughts?
So Akuma is usually pretty cool with me (Ryan) but lately he has been pretty cautious of me. For example Akuma will be laying on the ground just relaxing and I will walk by him and he will scamper away. I have never hit him or anything so I have no idea what his issue is. I know Kai typically do not like it when you loom over them but with my wife he has no issues. He has chosen her over me though lol I’m his hiking buddy and she is his cuddle buddy. Anyways or I will be standing and call him over and Akuma will act all cautious. He never used to be like that but now if I want him to come over I have to sit on the ground and then he will. Weirdo. Have any of you guys seen this happen. It has been a recent thing and nothing traumatic has happened to him. Btw I found out that he indeed can swim! He is not a emotional mess or anything it's just a little weird that's all. Any thoughts on what's going on would be helpful!
Ryan.
Ryan.
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Another thing is to try not to act concerned about it- hit your own Reset Button. "Ryan is not worried" I had to intervene in a snark yesterday- I didnt see what happened but Sage roared at Matsu's head, Matsu rolled over and started screaming- I ran in, yelled at them to cut the crap and sensitive Sage cowered and dropped his ears. I checked out Matsu- who wasnt even slobbered on, the big baby, and who has fantastic rebound "Oh! Im fine, Mom!" wagging and wiggling, picking up a toy, soliciting Sage. But Sage was still downcast.
I put Matsu in the living room to play with Juno and spent some time with Sage- I realized that sitting there being focused on him, quiet and "apologetic' (Sorry I yelled at you, man- puppies can be annoying, I know, good job not to actually bite him.) wasnt perking him back up one bit- he only could detect the seriousness, not the words. So I hit Reset, and smiled and looked at the river and talked happy to him w/o looking at him. I acted like it hadn't happened- like Matsu was already doing, he was ready to be with Sage as soon he got up on his feet again. I stopped thinking "what went wrong? Whats wrong with you? What did I miss?" I showed him some weird bark on the woodpile, got out his comb and he came over for a combing- and he lay in the sun and we had a nice normal time. That, I told myself, is forgiveness.
Just like you have to click the instant you see behaviors you want, you have to reward with your attitude the behaviors we want in that moment. I dont want conflict, but I do let them communicate and no harm was done, and that behavior was OVER. I had to show Sage that it was OVER for me too, and it woudl be better if I had let him SEE that the moment it was OVER. He is my teacher dog. I need to be more forgiving sooner and less lecturey anyway - with everybody.
So the lesson is only that when you work with reconnecting with Akuma, dont be all serious if you can help it because it will undermine your Good Stuff Training. "He has cheese, but he seems worried...I don't know...I mean, who's worried when they have cheese? This isnt right..."
Ugg I just wrote this whole long post and it didn't go through. I'll have to write it later. I'm taking care of an ill dog, but basically Mika has an issue with "pressure". If she feels "pressured" ie me walking straight at her she will hide. She doesn't like spacial, physical, or emotional pressure of any kind.
With humans she will run and hide. With other dogs she will go into fight mode. It's easy to manage, but I have to go check on Koda. Sorry. I really had a good post.
I know that a lot of Nola's issues are due to a mass in her brain, but she is also just a soft dog that is very emotional.
Akuma and I used to chase each other around the apartment, I would let him chase me then I would chase him then I would stop and he would turn around and want to play more. I haven't played that game with him for a while because one day I was chasing him around on all fours into the bedroom where we had never played before and he stopped and barked at me. It startled me a bit so I stopped playing with him and pet him and he seemed fine I got the tail wags and all of that but maybe that had something to do with it.
Another thing is I think he really wants a wife lol but that could be just me wanting another Kai. He met a girl dog the other day and really liked her. He ran around barking at her trying to get her to play it was a really good thing to see since usually he is not a huge fan of other dogs.
Anyway, it may be coming from his "Kumi" side.
Also, what you describe is the way 99% of all dogs are with me. I've noticed tho, when I am stressed by work or lack of sleep, they will tend to be more weary of me... So, perhaps you are stressed about something?
He seemed to be the most comfortable and chill when given his space and not made to feel trapped or pursued. I really wanted to hug on him, as he is so people focused, but some of my attempts at cuddling with him, I could tell made him a bit uncomfortable, although he was always very good and patient with it. He liked pats, chin rubs, body checks, tugging and other games more than hugs. Sometimes I would get barked at if I didn't play by Kai "rules", like if I moved suddenly, or did fake charges and play bows to get him to do zoomies, (which always sets my Shibas and CO off into wild play), but he would dash away, bark at me, and return to "assess" from a safe distance, before deciding play was warranted.
Don't feel bad
I think he would love a Kai lady
Lindsay, the other week he met a lady dog and both Akuma and here were off leash and Akuma was trying so hard to get the other dog to play it was funny. Bark bark bark circle run around bark some more ZOOOMIEES. I bet if I got him a Kai lady they would have a blast running around or at least Akuma would lol.