Living History

OK, just because his name is Living History, obviously that doesn’t mean that I know my history! That should have been Daniel Boone in the previous post (referring to the raccoon tail). We have actually been calling him Duke as I saw a note at the kennel that this may have been his call name. He has made great progress these past couple weeks. He now answers to his name, and will come immediately when called. Well, that is immediately unless the neighbor’s 2 little terriers are out and socializing through the fence.

He has really changed and mellowed quite a bit and is developing some very nice manners. With just a little reinforcement at the very beginning that the humans are alpha, he is very respectful. He will stay out of the kitchen during meals and meal-prep without questioning. Although he is still interested in following me from room to room, he quickly zonks out where ever he is. Comfy dog beds are simply HEAVEN! Stairs have not been a problem since the first day, but he has learned to slow down a little, especially coming down them. All of ours are carpeted, but I don’t imagine that uncarpeted ones would bother him either as he does the 5 open steps to the deck just fine. Walks have gotten much easier too. I still end up with some zig-zagging when I walk them both, but he is much better at not pulling toward other dogs we see along the way now. Other than my one potted plant on the very first day, he has shown absolutely no interest in marking or peeing in the house.

Duke/History does not interact much in the house with our grey, who is more on the timid side. But outside they will occasionally play chase. We are still working with sharing toys as Duke prefers not to. However with people he is perfect teddy bear - complete with thick fuzzy fur everywhere, unlike our grey who has a very bald belly and butt! I can take anything out of his mouth without a single protest (food, chewies or toys). He is really a very lovable fella who does not seem to mind anything that I do to him: trimming nails, pulling his ears, tugging on his tail, checking out his teeth, picking him up with his chest off the ground, wiping paws when coming in from the yard, great big bear hugs... And when you pet him, he leans into you so hard that if you move too quickly he nearly falls over! All the while looking at you with gorgeous brown eyes surrounded by dark brown “eyeliner”. Even his eyebrows are little darker and make his face very expressive!