Some non-flyball related observations. Most people that know Zio have only ever been around him at practice or tournaments and see his focus and intensity. He's actually a very different dog away from flyball. To those he trusts, he is very affectionate. He hates conflict and will go in his crate if Luna starts barking at the neighbor's dog through the fence or there are raised voices. It's pretty obvious when he feels guilty about something when I come home. It might not even have been him that did anything... just that he thinks someone is in trouble and he doesn't want to be around if he thinks I'll be mad.
He doesn't play with many dogs, but when he does, he makes this growly, purring sound that I call his puma imitation. He loves riding in the car and sticking his head out the window. Absolutely loves his Jolly Ball! I have no doubt that a stray cat would be in serious trouble around him. He is okay if he is introduced to a cat and will ignore it, but a stray cat is just a slow bunny with short ears.
For three and a half years, Zio has stretched out to pee. In the last three to four months, he has started hiking his leg once in a while. I'm not sure if it's maturity, he has seen other males do it, or he has gained confidence... but it is happening more and more now. I find it interesting to watch the transformation.
Zio also did something for the first time the other day on a walk. He's been around barking dogs on walks and at flyball all of his life. He's learned to just ignore them when we are out on walks and someone's yard dog is going crazy behind the fence. Heck, Wisp and he bark at each other face to face all the time in the racing lanes before the race starts. On our walk Sunday evening, we passed by a yard that has a wrought iron fence where two obese Boston terriers live. I haven't seen them outside in over a year, but they were out that day. I was trying to make sure Luna didn't escalate with them when Zio lost his mind and lunged at them with his "serious" bark and his hackles making him look like he had a buffalo hump. I've never seen him display an aggressive response to other dogs, so it took me by surprise. It was all over in two seconds though as he found his mind and started walking down the sidewalk again. It did take about a half a block before his hackles were down though.
He doesn't play with many dogs, but when he does, he makes this growly, purring sound that I call his puma imitation. He loves riding in the car and sticking his head out the window. Absolutely loves his Jolly Ball! I have no doubt that a stray cat would be in serious trouble around him. He is okay if he is introduced to a cat and will ignore it, but a stray cat is just a slow bunny with short ears.
For three and a half years, Zio has stretched out to pee. In the last three to four months, he has started hiking his leg once in a while. I'm not sure if it's maturity, he has seen other males do it, or he has gained confidence... but it is happening more and more now. I find it interesting to watch the transformation.
Zio also did something for the first time the other day on a walk. He's been around barking dogs on walks and at flyball all of his life. He's learned to just ignore them when we are out on walks and someone's yard dog is going crazy behind the fence. Heck, Wisp and he bark at each other face to face all the time in the racing lanes before the race starts. On our walk Sunday evening, we passed by a yard that has a wrought iron fence where two obese Boston terriers live. I haven't seen them outside in over a year, but they were out that day. I was trying to make sure Luna didn't escalate with them when Zio lost his mind and lunged at them with his "serious" bark and his hackles making him look like he had a buffalo hump. I've never seen him display an aggressive response to other dogs, so it took me by surprise. It was all over in two seconds though as he found his mind and started walking down the sidewalk again. It did take about a half a block before his hackles were down though.
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