What is it about that person...
Today I dropped the pups off at daycare. There was a girl at the front desk (who ninja seems to really like). She came out to greet and he was jumping all over her, very similiar to how he greets John and I. Now, most of you all know that Ninja is very fearful of strangers, mostly men...but he NEVER lets anyone pet him or get close. So, to see him be so excited and jumping up at a person that is not me or john is REALLY amazing.
So - I was chatting with the girl, telling her how he NEVER greets anyone like this except for John and I and she says "yeah, he is so cute - when he see's me he always finds a toy to bring to me, like a present!" (he always brings us a toy when he first see's us too)
So, this got me thinking....What is it about that person that Ninja likes so much?
Do you guys notice that your dog likes one specific person (not in your household) more than the others? I would be really interested to hear from people who have dogs who aren't as social with new people as well as the social butterflies.
I mean, my brother LIVES with me...and he RARELY ever gets to pet Ninja and Ninja rarely goes up to him to get pet. But first sight of this girl and he starts whining and wagging his tail like crazy. I would think living with my brother...he would feel more comfortable with him more than her.
So - I was chatting with the girl, telling her how he NEVER greets anyone like this except for John and I and she says "yeah, he is so cute - when he see's me he always finds a toy to bring to me, like a present!" (he always brings us a toy when he first see's us too)
So, this got me thinking....What is it about that person that Ninja likes so much?
Do you guys notice that your dog likes one specific person (not in your household) more than the others? I would be really interested to hear from people who have dogs who aren't as social with new people as well as the social butterflies.
I mean, my brother LIVES with me...and he RARELY ever gets to pet Ninja and Ninja rarely goes up to him to get pet. But first sight of this girl and he starts whining and wagging his tail like crazy. I would think living with my brother...he would feel more comfortable with him more than her.
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Now I should say Miso Loves everyone he meets, but for some reason he treats Amber like one of his "people" and not just another person.
Maybe it's because they care for them and give them things they like (i.e. play, rubs, walks?) I dunno.
I think it is all very chemical. I also think that a dog has an instinct, a second sense if you will, as to who is a trusting person to them. I always say that dogs know things that others don't.
Rudi loves most people. He does not allow some strangers to approach him, but when he does he usually does the full body push against them and acts like their best friend. As for my landbarons (landlords), when I go to pay rent I literally have to stretch my entire body and arm and fingers to the limit to get to the doorbell because Rudi is pulling on the leash to get away. He freaks. He hates that house or those people. I almost imagine he sees something that I do not, like the Grim Reaper waiting at the door for someone to answer....very freaky. (I say this because they are up there in age and not doing so good these days). I do not know why he acts that way really, they have been nothing but nice and they speak to him very tenderly. I do know that they are old farm folk who do not believe that a dog should reside in a house; their last dog was 13 and tied to a tree out back. He (a Blue Heeler) had been on that chain for so long that he literally wore the ground down 4-6 inches lower than the unreachable soil line. I brought him over some treats when I first moved in, but then he was gone and they told me that he was crying one night so the old man went out and shot him. (which might answer the question on Rudi's behalf).
I say trust the pups instincts. Just like folks with cancer, a dog can sense death, so who is to say they cannot sense the real value of the heart.
Interesting on any level. I cannot say that I have ever had a dog flat out distrust me, but I know cats don't trust me at all !!!!!
Ron and Rudi
I've always felt a bit envious, there are SO MANY times when we've gone to MY friends houses and their dogs wont pay ANY attention to me, but they wont leave my husbands side for a moment. UGH! (I'll have to check his pockets for bacon next time!!!!) lol
That is interesting, even though Ninja has come this far especially with other dogs, that he would greet her this way this soon. That is awesome though!
Tsuki greets everyone with uninhibited exuberance. Hachi wouldn't greet anyone but me, my mom or my friend Jana with enthusiasm, mostly obligatory sniff then on her merry way, Hanzo leans into everyone almost instantly as his greeting - he hasn't met a person he doesn't like yet!
But Kitsune, he is my socially challenged boy. I don't know what his former owners had to have done or not done to get him this scared of social experiences, but he is just so obviously uncomfortable during any and all interactions with 'the outside'. When John or I come home, he'll bounce around and whine and muss up the blinds and do shiba 500's and garble with tsuki then rub on us like a cat... If someone he's met a few times (like my mom, my siblings or friends) comes over, he will hesitantly go up to them for a sniff to familiarize, retreat then slowly go back. He is more apt to take a curious sniff if someone new is walking a dog, but other than that - its try "to get away" kitsune.
The only person he remotely gets excited for is my friend Jana - she has a cairn terrier that plays with them a lot. He lets her pet him within seconds of seeing her and even wags his tail. Nothing like what he does for us, but its exciting to see him even that excited for her! Their first meeting, Jana ignored him and continued to do so until he presented the opportunity for a pet a few times afterwards. He freely takes treats from her, which might help with the tail wagging when she comes around!
Maybe this person is just respectful of his boundaries or rewarding in some way for him?
With people she sees more often, she gets excited and tends to jump up at them.
Keigo is more reserved. But, he absolutely loves my father and Kurt's friend Kim.
Another thing with this front desk girl, does she give him food whenever she sees him? That could be a reason why he loves her too. He must really jive with her, you should get in good with her and if you ever go out of town, you could have her babysit him since he likes her so much.