Hi,
So far, Dexter is fitting fairly seamlessly into our household. He has turned out to be less housebroken than I had thought, so we're starting over with that. He's getting along fabulously with Kayla and Sheila (taking it slow, nothing laying around for them to argue over). Gerry mostly ignores him, but hasn't shown any aggression, either. I try to keep them apart. He goes into the crate without argument at night, but doesn't tolerate it much during the day, unless I stay in the room. He's still very much a velcro dog, and he's a dream to handle. Bathing, combing, brushing teeth, clipping nails are all no problem. He's not crazy about having his ears cleaned, but he tolerates it.
He's mouthy, so we're working on that. He can destroy a stuffed animal in 10 seconds or less. He likes playing tug. He tends to bark *a lot* when excited/frustrated. Also, I have no idea who thought he was hyper... he may be the least active dog I've ever owned. Maybe my dogs have all just been unusually energetic?
Alex is crazy about Dexter. He's started asking for "mah buppy" when I get him from daycare, and jabbers about "Desstuss/Deck-stuck/Dettuh" the whole way home. Dexter is the first being he greets when he comes in the door, and the last being he says goodnight to. If I'm not careful, he takes whatever food I give him and gives (at least) 1/2 to Dexter. When Dexter is crated at night, Alex sometimes just sits in front of his crate and watches him. His enthusiasm tends to run away with him, so we're working really hard on the concept of "gentle hands".
Alex seems head-over-heels in love with this dog, beyond anything I would've expected. I think this may be his way of coping with Bryan and I getting divorced? I'm going to ask his ped about it at his 2 yr check up in a couple of weeks. Luckily, Dexter is very patient w/ Alex and seems to enjoy the attention, when Alex isn't too rough.
Dexter and I start training class this week. I'm looking forward to it.
-Meghan
So far, Dexter is fitting fairly seamlessly into our household. He has turned out to be less housebroken than I had thought, so we're starting over with that. He's getting along fabulously with Kayla and Sheila (taking it slow, nothing laying around for them to argue over). Gerry mostly ignores him, but hasn't shown any aggression, either. I try to keep them apart. He goes into the crate without argument at night, but doesn't tolerate it much during the day, unless I stay in the room. He's still very much a velcro dog, and he's a dream to handle. Bathing, combing, brushing teeth, clipping nails are all no problem. He's not crazy about having his ears cleaned, but he tolerates it.
He's mouthy, so we're working on that. He can destroy a stuffed animal in 10 seconds or less. He likes playing tug. He tends to bark *a lot* when excited/frustrated. Also, I have no idea who thought he was hyper... he may be the least active dog I've ever owned. Maybe my dogs have all just been unusually energetic?
Alex is crazy about Dexter. He's started asking for "mah buppy" when I get him from daycare, and jabbers about "Desstuss/Deck-stuck/Dettuh" the whole way home. Dexter is the first being he greets when he comes in the door, and the last being he says goodnight to. If I'm not careful, he takes whatever food I give him and gives (at least) 1/2 to Dexter. When Dexter is crated at night, Alex sometimes just sits in front of his crate and watches him. His enthusiasm tends to run away with him, so we're working really hard on the concept of "gentle hands".
Alex seems head-over-heels in love with this dog, beyond anything I would've expected. I think this may be his way of coping with Bryan and I getting divorced? I'm going to ask his ped about it at his 2 yr check up in a couple of weeks. Luckily, Dexter is very patient w/ Alex and seems to enjoy the attention, when Alex isn't too rough.
Dexter and I start training class this week. I'm looking forward to it.
-Meghan
