Well get the flags out...!

[Mel]

As some of you may have read, Tali was sick today. He seemed so embarassed but I comforted him as I have done with all my dogs, they can't help being sick. He watched me clean it up and afterwards as I talked to him and stroked him, he rolled over and submitted for the first time ever. He came and slept on my bed where I gently stroked him.

This evening although he got very excited and gave my arm three chomps whilst playing with the care workers, he has sat and chewed a rawhide bone and a nylabone type toy. But he had to be almost in my lap. He also for the first time ever sat back and watched me eat my dinner without trying to eat it. He did try to have a sniff but he was amazing.

I'm not saying he's changed but it's like he realised when he felt ill I was there for him and he wasn't told off in anyway for vomiting. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but something changed after he was sick.

[Geordietyke]

Well that sounds encouraging Mel, it's the tiny little changes which we notice in our dogs which help us to understand them better, worked for me and hopefully you too.  Lesley 

[Nicola]

It's great that Tali's been so good today but I would be careful about attributing too much human emotion to dogs - even if it's 'good' emotion that still means it can go the other way and they can do things out of spite, shame etc. which dogs just don't do. They can seem to be embarrassed etc. to us as we're interpreting their body language that way - which they're usually displaying as a response to our body language (whether we're aware of what we're 'saying' to them or not). Hopefully tonight is the first of many well behaved nights to come though!

[Mel]

Yes I understand what you are saying Nicola. I admit I don't know why he would submit because he felt ill, maybe vunerability? It's quite an interesting subject and something I would like to know more about.

Anyway, maybe a corner has been turned, or not, we shall see.

[coralee]

I have the bunting at the ready!! 

Bless him - it's all about building the bond...

...maybe you and Tali are being looked after after all???

Long may it last 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I agree with Nic here but I'd say it's the begining of him starting to 'see' you more and a little bit of bonding...

Just keep ignoring the bad stuff so he doesn't become wary of you and focus on praising him when he does stuff you do want and he'll start to look for behaviours that get that response as it makes him feel good

Glad you've had a positive day, helps to balance out all the hard work and grief doesn't it!

ETA: Mel, just to add to your thread the other day that I posted on about conflict upsetting some pups however small it may seem - Dave not being able to handle a firm 'No' or 'Ah ah' as a pup for example and just attacking everytime I tried that, I should have added that now he's older and we've got a brilliant relationship and he totally trusts and knows me, I can use the voice of doom if I ever have to without it impacting our relationship. I don't like doing it because I know it's not the best way to handle him but with a toddler around just now occasionally I do need to remind him not to steal her food etc So even if he can't take it at this age, if you build a good bond you can have a more balanced relationship when he's older