Tobie and I went off road for a bit during our morning walkie. As we returned to a different stretch of dirt road, Tobie leading the way, he shied sharply to the left as soon as he broke cover. Following along, it was a second before I saw what he had nearly stepped on…
Another helpless bull snake, no doubt hoping with whatever desperation its tiny snake mind could muster that the sun would come out and warm it the hell up before this lunatic dog came back.
But there was no danger of that: Tobie stayed behind me the whole time I was digging my phone out of my pocket and taking that picture. Good boy! Praise and treats!
He’s getting the lesson I’ve been trying to impart: Snakes Bad Juju. Avoid Snakes.
Tobie is developing that Anatolian common sense the breed is known for . If he decides someone is evil and won’t let them in the house , trust his judgement . They can discern a spirit . Some snakes walk on two legs and Anatolians can tell . And Dobermans . Both breeds are known for discerning bad Juju with accuracy . And teeth , heh .
So that’s one essential step towards his no-leash goal?
Yeah, it’s major. He’s plenty big enough that the more common predators won’t bother him so they’re no danger. But I won’t even give him the chance to disappoint me until I’m fairly confident that he’ll stay away from snakes.
But the real test on snakes is it just bull snakes or all snakes he has learned to avoid?
I have no reason to believe he can tell the difference, or would care if he could.