We've been looking at Sandy's smarts, trying to be consistent and non threatening with her in order to connect the best we can and see who she is without her being afraid.
At one month old she knew the word "eat" and would respond to "be nice" by calming down. She would climb the steps and knew to duck under the door. She would go up and wait, in a ducked down posture, for us to swing the door open. Shortly later she knew "go home" and would run back to the house. And "up" would make her climb up onto the couch.
It's hard to tell what she knows and what she doesn't, compared to what she wants to do. She is not motivated to please us, but she does want to greet us. She is stubborn in continuing to do what she is told not to.
Last night she would not stop chewing on some of my papers that were within reach. Completely ignoring me. I'd pull her away and say no, I'd tap her nose and say no. Over and over. Finally I swatted her nose with a rolled up magazine right when she was reaching for the paper. It startled her enough to stop. But, of course she wanted something to chew. I gave her an old sock and she settled right down and was satisfied with it
Outside, she won't really come when called, but she will come for a treat. Yesterday afternoon I started rattling the treat can and today she knew to come when she heard it.
At about four weeks we noted that she was becoming house broken. Not perfect, but never made a mess in her bed, ever. Now she wakes up and waits for us to take her out. She can hold it for a long time if needed and then goes immediately when taken out. She will run and play outside, but return to the same spot to go.
She can ride in the car for hours without a problem and never gets car sick. We estimate she has ridden over 2,000 miles in the car all together. Never sick and never a mess. Some bed politics are always in play in the car. Bei Bei gets fed up with the crowding and makes her move occasionally with a sharp snap. These trips usually are about 260-280 miles long and last for about 5-6 hours. Sometimes they include stops for shopping or visits. One place we go she knows well already and settles right in when we get there. It's not too easy to stop and let her out while traveling because she takes a while to settle down enough to go.
It's very clear that she is good natured and tolerant. If not, riding in the car could be a big problem. Sometimes she gets testy, but a firm "be nice" with a pointed finger usually settles her down. If she starts squirming, Liye might hold her for a while and she loves that. And remember, each trip includes the three dogs and a cat. We have even done it in my truck with all of us in the cab!
So, in conclusion so far, she kind of knows the plan during outings, can be told to be nice if she is wanting to playbite. Loves to be outside on her own and will come if called with a treat. She seems very self assured, or just at home with herself and not looking for a master. She is who she is. Very natural. Very healthy and strong. Perfectly adapted to this terrain and adaptable.
Most importantly, she never freaks out and goes wild with fear. Hard to control sometimes, yes, but never an outright panic. I get the impression from her close communications with me, mainly through mouth actions, that she is always aware of her situation. The kind of communications I mean are tongue through the lips, gentle biting, wolf kisses, exposing her belly, etc. But even when scared or mad, she only bites hard enough to give a message. Always in control of herself. Mainly just communication. Not out of control rage or fear.
As was suggested to me I've now decided to not allow her to mouth me anymore. It's one of her favorite ways to interact, but probably not a good idea overall. As I sit here now, she just woke up. I clicked and she looked over. I invited her to visit and she came right over to see me. Her head bows down between her legs and I scratch her ears and shoulder. Completely gentle. Now it's time to go out and do a bit more exploring before it gets too late.
She is not as calm as our other dogs, but they are much older. She is more likely to bite than the domestic dogs I've had, but it's not a shredding kind of serious threat, so much as a protest. I'm not afraid to handle her unless she is in the worst of the worst moods, but soon that passes or we come to an understanding.
She has no interest at all in escaping. None. And if she balks at coming in after being out for a bit, I just leave her tied up and come in without her. Sometimes she balks at going out in the same way. Five minutes later I go out and she trots right in like it was her idea. Stubborn? Maybe. Or cautious. Either one could illicit the same response. But being left behind is worse.
Beyond all of her behaviors I just look at her as a little animal that is completely natural. No human breeding intervention. No history with humans in her past ancestry that I know of. Just a natural dog perfectly adapted to the wild country she lives in. That is physically, not mentally, as we have intervened seriously. But the perfection of her design, size, color and abilities is something to marvel at.
Like any dog I've known, she is right out there in all she does and feels. She's completely secure here with her pack and will sleep soundly in the middle of the living room with all of us here. The only tricky thing I've seen her do is try to get a toy from Bei Bei. She'll try different tactics to get up close without being noticed or without being suspected. Circling slowly and quietly, rolling around and working her way closer while looking like she is playing, avoiding eye contact. Tricky stuff that is so funny. Trying to trick another dog.
All of this at seven weeks old. About the age many of us get domestic dogs and begin our journey with them. We started with her at about two days old.
It's easy to see why she is so enduring. So much personality and so much to show us. I will never have another chance to be in this situation again and it is so interesting. We've established a bond of loyalty and trust that we both feel. Yet, danger lurks right outside in the form of hunters, laws, other animals, animal control. We will keep her from endangering other people or pets. So we seek advice and help in finding the best next chapter for her. A future that doesn't include death just for the sake of "public safety" or sport. But our quest must be done quietly because of all the dangers I've mentioned. And, in the meantime, we learn and have fun.
So now the conversation returns to "what next?". Good question. I'll contemplate it some more as she sleeps here at my feet and as I let her out again later this afternoon.
