I arrive at the address, a townhouse in a neighborhood complex, and park on the street. My clients are Pup, a 16 year old Yorkie mix, and Kaiser, a 6 year old Rottweiler.
This was a last-minute booking with a new client in an emergency situation. I have to admit I'm not confident about going in for today's first visit.
Rottweilers are wonderful, smart dogs. They are devoted to their families and years of selective breeding have made them good protectors and guard dogs. When I met Kaiser for the first time last night, he behaved himself very well. He took a few treats from me and enjoyed some petting and scratches. We got a long fine -- but that's while his owner was standing right there, talking to me in a friendly fashion. I know that Kaiser might feel very different about my coming in to the house without his owner around.
First things first: we're in the middle of a pandemic, so I put on my mask (which I wore at last night's meeting, so I hope Kaiser will remember it) and rub two generous squirts of hand sanitizer into my hands as I walk to the front door. I take a few deep breaths, remind myself to be relaxed and confident, and unlock the door. Opening it a few inches, I call out my usual "Hi! Friendly neighborhood dog walker!" to announce myself. I hear a thumping on the stairs and there's Kaiser. I can hear his "voice" as clear as anything.
Kaiser: Who's there?
Me: Hi Kaiser! Remember me?
Kaiser: Yeah. So what?
Me: Want some treats? (I toss him a few cheesy training treats I have ready)
Kaiser: (eats them while keeping eye contact with me) ...okay. You can come in. But I'm watching you.
See that picture up there? That is a Rottweiler looking at someone they like. See the lifted brows, the almost smiling mouth? Kaiser does not look like that right now. I couldn't even find a picture approximating his suspicious look. Kaiser has a hard look in his eyes, and he is definitely trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing here. I estimate he's giving me about one minute to explain myself. So I make light, happy, soothing talk while I call Pup and head towards the back door. My client said to not worry about walks and just let the dogs into the yard during my visits.
I find most dogs know the words that are important to them, like their name, Walk, Dinner, Ball, Treat-- stuff like that. So I say the words I bet Kaiser understands, and will make him more comfortable.
Me: Hey Kaiser, outside? Wanna go out? Oh boy! Let's go outside!
Kaiser: You first.
Out I go, and I put Pup on the tether that keeps him from squeezing through the fence (he's so tiny!). Kaiser is standing in the doorway, still staring at me.
I usually wear my mask during client visits but I decide I need to make an exception here. Kaiser is not warming up to me a bit, and I think the mask is a problem. It's a health and safety issue for me now, because it might provoke the dog, so I take it off.
And it helps. Kaiser steps into the yard and takes his eyes off me for the first time. Whew! I find a tennis ball on the lawn and try to get Kaiser to play with me. He perks up a little and chases the ball, but loses interest and doesn't bring it back. Oh well. I have other nice things to offer, like breakfast.
While Kaiser and Pup find the absolute perfect places to do their business, I go back in the house. The owner has left their food dishes in the pantry cupboard with breakfast already served up, so all I have to do it put them on the floor. I give Kaiser's metal pan a shake and he runs in, excited. I ask him to sit, and he does, so here you go, friend: have some breakfast!
Pup could absolutely not care less about his breakfast. He's an old guy and has his own private room in the house, so I figure I'll just leave his food and water in there with him when I leave and he can pick at it in his own time.
I encourage the dogs to go outside again after Kaiser is done eating. He's accepting me more now, which is a huge relief. I give his ears a rub as we stand outside and think we're making progress, but when my hand moves to pat his shoulder, he gives a sudden snarly bark and snaps at me. I step away but give him a reprimand.
Me: Don't you talk to me like that! Shame on you!
Kaiser: ...you're not my mom. (glares)
My time is done, so I settle Pup in his room with his food and water while Kaiser stares at me from the living room.
As a last friendly gesture, I go to the pantry and get a biscuit from the box for Kaiser. When he sees what I'm up to, he instantly changes into a happy, silly boy with wagging behind and lolling tongue. He loves his biscuits! At the door, I ask him to sit. He does, and I toss him the snack while I scoot out and lock the front door.
*Whew!*
I have three more visits to get through. It never gets any easier. I rely on bringing a biscuit with me to get in to the house, and giving him another when I leave. I take a little off his kibble ration so he isn't getting a calorie overload.
Kaiser isn't a bad dog, or even a difficult dog. He's just a Rottweiler following what his bred-in instincts tell him to do. I know if I hung out with him and his owner a few more times, he'd be more accepting when I came in alone to care for him. I'm glad that we could find ways to get along with each other for these visits.
