Changes in behaviour !

Dulcie used to wander in the garden and outside the garden, whenever there was an opportunity. Dulcie was the first one to get out of the portico door when ever it was not latched. She developed her style of pushing the grill door open, with her body. There were occasions, when she escaped unnoticed and wandered for a while without us being aware of this. There were occasions when the passers by brought her from outside the gate. It is about a year now, since we blocked all her escape routes to the road beyond our property. Now she wanders within the garden. She would return and wait at the steps, if by then we had not called out for her. Only if she had to wait without being brought in for a long time, she would bark to alert us. Where as if she was accidentally locked in any room, she would bark till we heard her to open the door. 

Dulcie is guilty of escaping unnoticed for her pleasure walk. It is her pattern that she would lie prostrate as soon as we notice her on the steps and quietly come in and go to her bed. If we were to scold her she would wag her tail. She has habitually escaped any punishment. 

Now there is a change. She would still run out as in the picture above, but would wait at the walkway pondering whether to proceed or not! If we noticed her and called her, she would slowly walk towards the courtyard and stay there without getting in. 

A pet dog usually hovers around the masters. She does that abundantly. What I described above is an exception. 

Dulcie is not comfortable to get wet. Now as it is raining most of the time, she is now on her chair in the veranda and looking at the gate longingly. Even if the grill door is open she is not in a hurry to go out. 

What a change because she does not want to get wet. 

In a conversation with a family yesterday, I heard a story of a three years old child who is often outdoor and would defy if asked to come in. Since the monsoon started he is mostly indoor. He also feels uncomfortable to bathe as he has some aversion to water.

There are likes and dislikes. 

I have a suspicion confirmed by a Veterinary doctor, that dogs change behaviour spontaneously when they are treated kindly. It is when they are harshly treated they become distant from their masters. 

I have a similar story to tell about children. When they are treated kindly and soberly, they have better compliant behaviour as they do it out of respect for parents rather than out of fear. 

I have disturbing stories from parents, when they are tired of punishing. 

I have also have many encouraging stories from parents, when their kindness and patient conversations have revived the behaviour of their children. 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)