Cookie has been at our home a few weeks now and here is a little update about what we have learned: Commands: Cookie knows "sit" and "shake" very well. We have been working on "stay". This is not perfect, but she has made some progress. We have been trying to teach her to sit, stay and wait for her meals. When she first arrived she would be jumping on us to get to her food. No longer is that happening. We make Cookie sit and sometimes shake, before receiving her meal. Walking: Cookie does well on a leash. She does pull a bit if excited or if she sees a squirrel. We have noticed she walks slightly better with a collar. With a harness we don't have as much control. She needs to be kept close while walking as she still needs to learn to not wrap the leash around trees/ poles. Housebroken: A++++ Not a single accident in the house! WOOHOO! Toys: See previous post... in a nutshell, she loves toys! Other Animals: Cookie has been getting along well with our boxer, Milo, and our beagle houseguest, Frankie. When we meet other dogs on walks, she gets very excited but shows ZERO aggression. We do not have cats so we do not know how she would react to them. At home she LOVES to snuggle with her foster brother. Energy: Cookie still has her puppy spirit. Somedays she is a big lazy snuggle bug and other days she has a LOT of energy. We have found that lots of walks/ jogs/ rollerblade rides or time in the yard help her exert some of this energy in a productive way. She'll need a pet owner who can keep her challenged to meet her varying degrees of energy. Grooming: Cookie has a short coat and does not seem to need brushing. She has received one bath since being with us. Although not thrilled to be placed in the bathtub, once inside she was fine. Eating: Like her energy levels vary, so does her interest in food. Some days she gulp down her food relatively quickly and other days she is a grazer. She is also curious what the other pups have in their bowls, so I have been having to redirect her back to her bowl. She shows no food aggression. Mouthy: Cookie sometimes shows mouthy play. I never felt it has been out of aggression, but as more of a way to get attention. Sometimes she will try to nibble at Milo's neck or forearms. When I observe this, I try to redirect by showing her the toy bin and giving her a toy. This has not been a major issue at all, but worth noting for her future home. Milo is a mouthy dog too, so I know this is a way dogs communicate and play, but thinking of her future home, which might have children, we have been trying to limit her "mouthy" play or redirect it when we see it. Volume/ Noises: Overall, Cookie is a quiet pup. As I type this, she is quietly looking out the bay window at a family walking by. If you are looking for a fierce guard dog, she is not your gal. She will bark when she wants to be let in from outside or when she wants Milo to play with her. When playing an intense game of tug of war with Milo, she makes these grizzly bear noises in an attempt to sound tough. A few times I have caught her snoring. Other than that, she is a quiet young lady. |
Curiosity: Cookie is a curious gal and will need some guidance (like all dogs do) as she learns her new home environment. She sometimes just walks around our home looking and sniffing around. She will need to know what is and is not off limits in her new home. She learns quick and areas or items we do not want her to play with she has learned not to touch (pillows from the couch, slippers).
She is very aware of her surroundings. We catch her outside watching birds, butterflies, and bees flying. We have even caught her watching t.v. a few times. :)
Furniture: We have not been allowing Cookie up on the furniture or our bed.
Crate: Cookie sleeps like a princess in her crate all night long. :) Due to her curious nature and for her safety, we crate her anytime we have to leave the house. We usually leave her with a hard bone to chew on while we are away. When she first arrived, the first few times we crated her we gave her a Kong (filled with a mix of peanut butter and plain greek yogurt) to show her that being in her crate was a positive thing.
Car: Cookie does very well in the car. For her first car ride, she sat in the passenger seat as I drove and she appeared to be extremely nervous. She put up a struggle to even get in the car.
A few days later we put her in the backseat and took Milo along as well and she was like a new dog. So at ease! I don't know if it was being in the backseat, the company of Milo, or both, but she did much better.
Personality: Cookie is a big sweetie. I love when she just gazes up at me with those stunning eyes. She just wants to be loved and given attention by the people and critters in her home. :) She is very playful and silly.
Cookie is going to make a wonderful addition to a home. Like all dogs, she will need attention and some training. The good news is that she is totally potty trained, she is very treat motivated (to help with training) and she is a quick learner. She is a big lover and makes us laugh every day. :)
She is very aware of her surroundings. We catch her outside watching birds, butterflies, and bees flying. We have even caught her watching t.v. a few times. :)
Furniture: We have not been allowing Cookie up on the furniture or our bed.
Crate: Cookie sleeps like a princess in her crate all night long. :) Due to her curious nature and for her safety, we crate her anytime we have to leave the house. We usually leave her with a hard bone to chew on while we are away. When she first arrived, the first few times we crated her we gave her a Kong (filled with a mix of peanut butter and plain greek yogurt) to show her that being in her crate was a positive thing.
Car: Cookie does very well in the car. For her first car ride, she sat in the passenger seat as I drove and she appeared to be extremely nervous. She put up a struggle to even get in the car.
A few days later we put her in the backseat and took Milo along as well and she was like a new dog. So at ease! I don't know if it was being in the backseat, the company of Milo, or both, but she did much better.
Personality: Cookie is a big sweetie. I love when she just gazes up at me with those stunning eyes. She just wants to be loved and given attention by the people and critters in her home. :) She is very playful and silly.
Cookie is going to make a wonderful addition to a home. Like all dogs, she will need attention and some training. The good news is that she is totally potty trained, she is very treat motivated (to help with training) and she is a quick learner. She is a big lover and makes us laugh every day. :)