Peaches one week update

Sorry, no new pictures. I will work on that. 

Peaches has been with us just over a week, and we have learned that she is a happy, loving and smart girl. She has a very lovable disposition, and is eager to please her person.

Pros:

      Eager to please and very smart

      Loving, gentle and sweet. Loves a good cuddle.

      Completely housetrained (in my home) with no accidents

      Crates beautifully, rest quietly and waits patiently for release

     Good with our resident dog, and did have a good encounter with the neighbor’s Pitt mix

      Making good progress with leash walks

     Has good recall

     No chewing or other destruction to household items, shoes etc

     A great size

     Little to no shedding (that I have noticed)

In the corporate world, we refer to any “cons” as opportunities. Here is a list of opportunities for you and Peaches to work together for improvement.

Continue leash walking practice -  Peaches has a better understanding of how the leash works and with that, she has gained confidence. Her new confidence along with her curious personality has led to some pulling. I’m sure this will work itself out. Just keep practicing, practicing, and practicing.

Impulse control – Being young and happy, she has some trouble keeping four paws on the floor. She does like to put two paws on the kitchen counter or dining room table, just to see what’s up there. She has never taken anything off the counter or table. I think she’s just curious. She also has put her paws on new people when she greets them. It’s not really a jump up, which is good, but rather an attempt to get more affection. She is very gentle. In her excitement for a walk, Peaches has pushed her way out the front door (with her leash on, thankfully). Something to keep in mind when she is new to your home. She has very good recall, but you just never know, in a new neighborhood, what could happen. Peaches will chase a bird, squirrel, butterfly, toad, or housefly. You get the idea.  

Now lets talk a little bit about barking. This is a grey area for me. I have a very quiet dog of my own. In fact, when we first brought Charlie home, we thought he might have been de-barked. It was weeks before we heard him make a sound, and we can go weeks or months between barks even now. So when it comes to deciding whether a foster barks too much or too little, I’m no expert. Peaches does bark. Her barks have volume, and you and your neighbor will know when she barks. There is no aggression with the barks. Just barking the alert or warning. What I have noticed is that it is only when outdoors, and only when she feels there is a threat. There is no annoying and unnecessary barking at little things, like a bird flying by the window, or a noise from the basement. She doesn’t bark at other dogs either. I have only seen her react to a jogger, walker, or biker coming right at us. Now I know some people that would consider this an awesome “pro”. She would make the perfect watchdog, right? So if you are looking for a loyal, loving dog that will look out for you, and warn you of people coming your way, Peaches is the perfect girl.  That being said, If you are the type of person who prefers less barking, there are training techniques to limit barking, or she may outgrow it as she becomes more secure in her new environment. Like I said..….. grey area……

Check back often, for updates and additional pictures. I would love for this girl to find her furever home soon.