Charlie's Totally Different Behaviour - Why?

[Charlie]

Thomas just got back grinning from ear to ear after taking Charlie for a walk in the forest. Charlie was off lead the whole time and didn't leave his side, no cues, no treats he just stays with him, it appears out of choice. Thomas did a little gold panning as he's ever hopeful of making his fortune as we on the 'gold' seam, Charlie mooched around in full view. He remained off lead then up the track to our house, staying right by Thomas' side (not too happy with that just in case Charlie spotted
something) We talked about it, Thomas said he just trusts Charlie.

I am so proud of both of my boys. xx

I'm curious to know why Charlie behaves totally differently with Thomas who is 19. What does he have that David or I don't? xx

 

[Jacqui-S]

Thomas said he just trusts Charlie.

Could it be just this?

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Thomas said he just trusts Charlie.

I think this is definitely it. Charlie will be able to sense that Thomas is completely comfortable with him and trusts him, and therefore, Charlie also trusts Thomas. x

 

[Stacia]

Also a relatively new area, so not quite sure of himself yet.

 

[Charlie]

Also a relatively new area, so not quite sure of himself yet.

Charlie has been coming here for 10 months so maybe not this. xx

 

[Stacia]

Charlie has been coming here for 10 months so maybe not this. xx

Probably not but his life has changed hasn't it with you moving up there? Though maybe he thinks he must look after Thomas

 

[Oberon]

I agree with Jelinga. Animals can prefer keep close when they’re unsure. Just like humans.

 

[Charlie]

I agree with Jelinga. Animals can prefer keep close when they’re unsure. Just like humans.

I agree, but he doesn't stay nearly as close to the rest of us, it's only Thomas that's what's odd to me. Also he has been coming here for almost a year so I don't think he's unsure. xx

Probably not but his life has changed hasn't it with you moving up there? Though maybe he thinks he must look after Thomas

His life has changed dramatically but it still doesn't explain the difference in behaviour with one person. xx

 

[Boogie]

Gold panning - wow!

 

[Charlie]

Gold panning - wow!

Strange but true. The river at the bottom of our garden "apparently" has gold in it as it runs through some sort of 'gold seam'. For fun we bought him a panning kit , so far he has found ONE grain. Keep panning Thomas, keep panning! xx

 

[snowbunny]

Dogs do what works best for them. “Reinforcement drives behaviour”, as the trainers are always saying. So Charlie is reinforced more by sticking close to Thomas than he is by sticking close to other people. Maybe that’s because Thomas interacts with him in a way he prefers, maybe it’s because Thomas’s demeanour encourages the proximity for some reason. But, whatever the reason, it’s about reinforcement

 

[Charlie]

Thanks Fiona that makes sense. After all our years of training Thomas nails it by just being himself and putting lots of trust in Charlie. I am going to try to change my demeanour to see what happens xx