Once again, Mal let his gaze drift back to Garret. "Oh he did, huh?" That would serve as a mental reminder. Garret needed to be told what to serve the pup. Eggs, sausage and bacon would be a better meal than the sweet, but at least the pup wouldn't have to worry about the calories. Maybe he needed to teach him how to brush his teeth. Cavities were still a problem for hounds. Shaking his head -damned parental thoughts- he focused back to the task at hand.
Rule number one when dealing with a nervous pup: let them come to you. Holding out his hand, palm up, Mal worked to make it an offer. "C'mere," he spoke quietly. It was a request, not a command. If Max didn't feel safe, he didn't need to come closer.