Hi:
Thought you might enjoy seeing these. Jasmine set up the blankets so Beau could join her and he did just that! She was creating a "book" and he stayed there the entire time.
He is everything you experienced with him and more. Today was a "break through" .. he ran the "Poochie Bells" for the first time to go out. He had not developed any method (except us keeping close watch on him) for letting us know he wanted out. Going out or coming in, he makes no noise at all to indicate what he wants to do. In spite of that, there have been very few accidents in the house.
We've been taking long walks (1 to 2 hours/up to 4 miles so they are long for me) around the neighborhood every day. Comments of "he is so well mannered" are frequent. When one of the girls goes with me, we'll head for a near by park where there are safe walkways and they will run him (on leash). I can't do that, so it is great that he doesn't pull and will match their speed. They know that when they stop, he is to sit. (Of course kibble is his great motivator!) On these walks he has learned that it is not okay to rush up to greet people or bark at other barking dogs. But he really wants to run with the joggers. This is the area we can also practice his coming to me (with the leash dragging). Never a problem with that.
His first training class at MHS begins in two weeks but I have been working with him on some of the things he'll be learning: "stay" "sit" "touch" (useful in getting him to "ring the bells") "wait" (he does a sit and wait until released (almost) for his feedings but no longer charges forward). He may not like it but does allow brushing (both fur and teeth) and all kinds of "inspecting." He sleeps on a dog bed, not in the crate, and will wait for me to call to him before becoming overly excited- if I tell him to lay down, he'll do just that even if he hears Dakota wandering about the hallway behind the closed door. He is just a great dog. Gives and gets lots of loving. I just shake my head in amazement and wonder over him and the fact that we found each other. Thank you so much for allowing me to adopt him.
Will keep you posted as we go along if you would like.
Oh yeah, and you may note, he is getting really big.
Maureen Keating
