Sometimes he avoids moving toward them for several seconds.
The reunion itself does not look uncomplicated.
The entire sequence seems loaded with conflicting responses.
He panics when the person leaves.
He becomes physically small when the person returns.
That Conflict May Be Central to Understanding Him
Dogs do not always experience people as simply safe or unsafe.
A dog can want proximity while simultaneously feeling uncertain about interaction.
Movement can increase one response and direct attention can increase another.
Diesel's behavior may involve competing motivations.
The observable result is striking.
Back turned: chase the barrier.
Face returned: drop.
Staff Avoid Looming Over Him After an Episode
If Diesel has just flattened himself and is trembling, immediately approaching directly may add pressure.
Instead, the environment is allowed to settle.
His recovery becomes something staff watch carefully.
How long before the trembling decreases?
How long before he stands?
Will he sniff?
Drink?
Return to his bed?
Recovery time provides information that the barking alone cannot.
Early On, Recovery Takes a Long Time
The dramatic part may last twenty seconds.
The effects can remain much longer.
Diesel lies low.
Eventually, he raises his head.
Then sits.
Several minutes later, he may finally move around normally.
That imbalance is important.
A short trigger can create a much longer physiological response.
Gradually, Some Departures Become Less Dramatic
A person stands farther away.
Turns.
Diesel watches.
His body becomes tense.
The person walks several steps.
Diesel approaches the front.
But he does not hit the barrier.
The person remains visible.
Diesel watches until they stop.
No barking.
No circling.
That may look uneventful to anyone else.
For Diesel, it is significant.
Then a Closer Departure Brings the Old Reaction Back
Progress does not erase sensitivity.
Someone pauses near his kennel.
Diesel approaches.
The person turns too quickly.
Diesel launches forward.
The gate rattles.
He barks.
Circles.
The person turns around.
Diesel drops to the floor.
His body shakes.
The sequence is almost identical to the early episodes.
One difficult moment does not mean nothing has changed.
It means the trigger still exists.
Staff Begin Seeing a Longer Pause Before the Explosion
At first, the turn and the lunge seemed nearly simultaneous.
Later, Diesel sometimes watches for several seconds.
That pause matters.
A dog who can pause has time for another behavior to occur.
Standing.
Looking away.
Sniffing.
Moving toward his bed.
Even a few seconds can represent greater flexibility.
One Afternoon, Diesel Does Something He Hasn't Done Before
Someone stops near his kennel.
Diesel watches.
The person turns around.
His body stiffens.