Sean said this in a post to me this morning of Boston  Terriers: “They have the soul of a warrior and the heart of a hummingbird. All dogs are wonderful, but a Boston Terrier is like no other.”

Certainly, Bud is like no other dog I have had. Sean’s description perfectly describes him, and I am just beginning to understand how best to understand Bud and communicate with him in a positive and effective way. This involves trust and patience.

Today was a landmark for the two of us. After his assault on a bird’s next out in the marsh – he killed the mother  – we kept  him from the pasture. Frieda was the only dog we’ve ever had that killed things.

I don’t want Bud to be a prisoner, and I respect nature and the way it works.

These dogs were bred to fight disease by killing rats and mice. The natural world and every farm is filled with death. Dogs are descended from wolves, they are all potential killers.

I  brought Bud back out again today, equipped with treats, my Pet Corrector aerosol spray, and a head that was clear and calm.

We are making real progress.

This was the first time I didn’t have to shout at Bud once to stay away from something, leave something alone. I am accepting him, more trusting that he may rush into the woods, but he always comes back, it may take him a bit, but he does listen. I think the more I trust him, the better we will communicate, the calmer and more responsive he will be.

He runs at the chickens, he never hurts them or pursues them, he challenges the barn cats, and they swat him and hiss at  him. He doesn’t retreat, he just leaves. He has figured out it isn’t wise to mess with the donkeys, so he doesn’t.

This morning he chased a chipmunk under the Skid Barn in the side pasture. I didn’t call him back or try to call him off, I went about my business and in a few minutes, I went back and called him, and he came running. While he was first pursuing the chipmunk, he would not have heard me and would not have come.

There is no point to giving dogs commands they won’t or can’t obey. I’ve learned to be patient. If I needed to get  his attention, even from a distance, I just take out the Pet Corrector spray and press it once, the sound causes him to turn, and once he is looking at me, he comes instantly.

I’m also working hard to trust Bud more, there is some risk to that, many rewards. Bud never goes near the road, he never runs far.

When he comes he gets a treat about half the time. I getting that down to one in four.

Shouting at a dog never really works, it just breeds fear and  distrust and confusion. Bud and I work together in small steps, every day. We make progress every day. Inside of the house, he is a doll, sweet and attentive and fun, a family dog in every way.

Outside, he is a fierce and powerful hunter. No wonder the sheep listen to him.

Sean is right. This dog has the soul of a warrior and the heart of a hummingbird. He was also a wild and untamed dog when he came and we are working our way through that.

Sprinkling meat tenderizer on the food of all of the dogs also seems to have halted Bud’s poop-eating ways, at least for now. It’s just like chess. They make a move, I make a move.

Sometimes I win, sometimes they do. Our journey together is already deep and meaningful.