Each dog is a new beginning

Angus, yesterday. He's growing up.

On walks, Angus has a little reactive fear to people and dogs. We break his attention (Uh-Uh!), make him sit and watch me and take a treat. If he's calm, he gets to meet them. If he's nervous, we move on. All works well, but I stay vigilant.

Rosie is gregarious as hell.

Angus does not bark much at all in the yard. Rosie--self-appointed guardian of house and yard--goes ballistic at the garbage truck, the neighbors exiting their house, people walking past on the sidewalk. Angus just lifts his head and looks at her, and then goes back to sniffing the grass.

Toby (the sainted and dear departed) went nuts the first time I put a leash on him. He ran frantically around the kitchen, smashing into walls, trying to get away from that thing that was suddenly attached to him.

Riley fought the leash--strained and pulled relentlessly, and then lunged at squirrels to the point where I had to subject myself to seven sessions of physical therapy to get my elbow back in working order. (This was before we knew about leash training.)

Angus was almost to the leash born--he's still had no formal training, but for the most part he walks very naturally, at my side (and sometimes under foot), cool and calm.

Rosie has run away at every possibly opportunity--both up north off the trail and here at home when gates are thoughtlessly left open.

Boscoe escaped from the yard exactly once. He seized the opportunity to trot around to the front of the house and sit on the front step.

Having a dog--or, as we have had, five dogs, though not all at once--gives you experience in some things: housebreaking, rule-making, basic training. But for everything else, you're on your own. Each dog is different. Each personality is different. Do they like their belly rubbed (Angus, Boscoe) or do they prefer ear scratches (Rosie, Riley)?

Do they cuddle? (Angus, Boscoe, Toby) or are they a bit more standoffish (Rosie, Riley)?

Chew toys or puffy toys?

Verbal (Rosie--she has so many different moans, barks, whimpers and squeaks she can practically talk) or do they prefer communicating through staring (border collie Boscoe)?

We are having fun figuring out Angus. I look at his face and I cannot read it yet. It seems impassive.  I remember wondering this when we first got Riley--when will I know what these expressions mean? It takes time. It's fun to watch his personality unfold. He's like no other dog we've ever had. None of them ever are.