10/10/2026
Kujo had his first run in with a "stranger" at the farm today. This was a major milestone to us as his "stranger danger" sense develops and it was enlightening to say the least.
The last few weeks Kujo has started barking/grumbling at things that are "suspicious". Primarily, the kids the making weird noises in the dark while Kujo and I are having our evening TV time cuddles.
Kujo found a stink bug in the office two days ago and licked it. All hell broke loose. All house bugs are now also super suspicious for the time being. As they very well should be.
Any who, Austin's truck backed into the driveway and Kujo was on it. After all, all moving vehicles are his vehicles. Kujo has ridden everything except the lawn mower thus far. If he fits, he sits.
Austin hopped out of the truck, the moment of truth, and not a single bork or grumble was to be had. Austin was thoroughly searched for snacks multiple times and then Kujo was off to play with his sticks.
Not one to disappoint a poor doggo, I went inside to grab his cookies. Thanks to the staff at our local Lowes being so genuinely helpful, Kujo has started to learn the rules. If he sniffs the stranger, one cookie. If he lets the stranger pet him, two cookies. If he ignores the stranger and lays down, Mom drops cookies on the ground randomly until our stranger time is over. Austin gave him some cookies and all was well in the kingdom.
Now, this is where I think the important difference between Wick and Kujo is truly obvious to me. The discernment between when to acceptance and when to trust.
Wick trusted and accepted us with every fiber of his being. I have never met a dog as trusting of his humans as Wick and frankly, I doubt I ever will again. It was a truly special and humbling experience being his people. However, Wick offered neither trust nor acceptance to any other living soul on this planet. No one else was accepted. No one else was trusted. It made life hard sometimes.
Wick was contrary to every dog we had ever owned before. You know, the "normal dogs". Dogs who love, trust, and accept everyone. The kind of dog who would let the bad guy in and then demand a bully rubs and a snack.
So far, Kujo has settled in the middle ground. It didn't take long for him to accept Austin. Kujo asked for pets, ate some cookies, did some zoomies to encourage play, completed routine snack inspections, and just generally existed in the same space as Austin.
However, it was very clear, at least to us, that he did not trust Austin. Regardless of where we moved or what we did, Kujo split the difference. If I tossed a treat, Kujo ran to grab it, and was immediately back at my feet. If I walked away, he followed and did his own thing. If I started to walk back to the group, Kujo was back in a flash to cover the in between. There were the normal puppy distractions but the instinct and the discernment was there coming into being. Kujo was working through everything splendidly on his own. I'm curious to see how that relationship will grow over time.
Thus far, Kujo has done a fabulous job learning the line between acceptance and trust. What constitutes a "stranger" and what can be considered actual danger. We don't need him to trust everyone and we don't want him to. Kujo however, does need to accept that other living creatures are allowed to exist in our presence. There are rules and manners expected where other people are involved.
Some people might think I'm reading into things a little too much, but you don't live a life with a dog like Wick and fail to notice things. Kujo has been observed with laser focused scrutiny from the second he came home. Not just from us, but from everyone who met Wick and saw his reactivity firsthand.
Wick made it to roughly the 1yo mark before everything went sideways. Thus far, Kujo has passed his reviews with flying colors. He is the goodest boy and I sincerely hope that he continues to shine with what is shaping up to be a personality as unique and beautiful as he is... and perhaps, just a little, I am hoping that Kujo shows everyone just a glimpse of the love and commitment our family saw every day with Wick. Maybe then, people will understand that another Boerboel wasn't a crazy choice. It was the only choice.
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