Cooper patrols so much more at this house than he ever did in our old apartment. Sigh. He’s so triggered by the sight of other animals. We literally had to put these frosted-glass plastic clings to the bottom half of our windows so that he wouldn’t freak out about the cats being outside.
It’s not that much of a big deal on its own, but where it does become a big deal is that when he’s “activated,” he’ll lash out at Joy and try to control/patrol her, too. It’s a really, really frustrating behavior. She’s scared of him. Any dog that spends time around Cooper is scared of him. Because he’s an asshole. I hate it. And I know it’s because he’s scared. It’s not because he’s trying to be a dick. He’s threatened and insecure and he thinks that I’m feeling the same we he is, so any move I make he interprets as backing him up.
I feel like usually I deal with it better than I have lately. It is one thing that gave me pause about getting a puppy; controlling Cooper and his aggression. If I’m constantly vigilant about it, and in the right way, the way that calms him rather than makes him more stressed out, he’s hardly ever a problem. That was the state that we got Coco to. But she was always a chill dog. Far more chill than Cooper. All she ever wanted to do was sleep and get cuddles. Joy, on the other hand, is a ball of energy. Cooper is a couch potato compared to her. And that’s been…difficult. I’m constantly stressed about it. Constantly keeping the two of them apart. Constantly on edge to make sure Cooper isn’t going to attack her. And I know that affects both Cooper and Joy.
Blerg.
I’ve just struggled, y’all, with energy and focus and discipline and assertiveness lately. Ever since Coco died. It’s been really hard.
To be clear, nothing happened today. Coops and Joy were fine today. But only because we played buffer between them. I’d like to not have to do that so much. The current plan is to just gut through her most rambunctious years, but damn. I think that might be several years. Maybe training is worth a go. He didn’t used to be quite this bad. That happened…a couple years into having Coco. So, it’s been a while, but it hasn’t been forever. They even played together for a little while. They used to snuggle together, albeit very briefly, but he wasn’t so freaking terrified of her that she couldn’t even be near him.
It was an anxiety filled day today. For no real reason. I struggled with it all day. Still am tonight. Hoping that a good night’s sleep will help. Really want to get up and get some writing in early. I just feel scattered right now. Not locked in. Not grounded.
Wish me luck. Night.