Training

Clover stayed with his foster family for a few days and we picked him up last night. The drive was super hot, as it was close to 100 degrees for the trip. As a result, everyone was hot and tired when we got home. He's been unhappy going out for walks bigger than around the block-- not even making it that far last night.

Clover recognized us and was happy to come home with us. He was excited throughout the drive so he was very tired, sleeping through the night. He is excellent at communicating when he needs to go outside so there have been no accidents yet.

During our few days apart, Les found pictures of American shepherds puppies such as the one with the 3 in this one that look an awful lot like our rescue. I'm still hoping that he doesn't grow to be 80 lbs like a purebred but only time will tell.

The heat wave has given us more time with him at home (in front of the air conditioner) to work on training. The vet gave us a book (and DVD) that has excellent tips such as how to handle mouthing, jumping, and controlled walks. Clover has mastered "sit" and is doing pretty well with "come" and "drop it".

Since the vet suggested feeding him more, he has grown visibly and is more confident and relaxed. At dinner tonight, he kicked out a lot of dry food so he could get right to the canned food. After that, he ate all the dry food that had fallen out around the bowl, licked it all clean, and started wandering around the apartment looking for more to eat.

Is there food on the kitchen counter? Food on the kitchen floor? Food on the chairs around the dining room table? Food on the coffee table? Food under the sofa? So many places to look!

At that point, I had mercy on him and gave him another half cup of dry food. He looked at it but wouldn't eat it. He then came back to me, did another tour of the apartment, sat for a bit, sighed, and finally ate that as well but slowly. It reminded me of the joke about one person in prison saying the food tastes so bad and the other prisoner chimes in to say "and the portions are so small!"