Skillet one week (almost) update

Ok, so it hasn't been quite a week, but here is what we know.

Housetraining –  Skillet does have a tendency to mark. He tried lifting his leg several times in the house  the first few days. However, after a few days with his belly band and watching him like a hawk, we have seen no more attempts.  With the marking faze over, he has been 100% accident free and he keeps his crate nice and clean.

Crate- Skillet doesn’t seem to mind the crate one bit. In fact he will go there during the day to hang out or play with a special toy. He crates with or without a treat and sleeps quietly all night and when I’m gone to work. He sits nicely and waits for the door to open without barking or jumping. Oh…. The pleasures of an adult dog !!

Leash- Skillet is AMAZING on the leash. He walks right by my side, and will sit whenever the walk pauses for a minute. He will even make eye contact with me every few steps, as though he is waiting for instructions. That being said…. He does like to mark. He will “go” many times on each walk. I’ve read that some dog owners do not allow a dog to mark over and over again on a walk. I will do more investigating and see if it’s training we should pursue, or something he will overcome as he gets more familiar with his surroundings.

Food/Eating- Skillet is currently eating a mixture of grain-free kibble, and a spoon of wet canned food, stirred together. He loves it, and cleans his bowl twice each day. He takes treats gently and enjoys rawhides and other chews. There is no food aggression and no “stealing” from Charlies bowl.

Socialization-We have taken Skillet to the dog park, but unfortunately there were no other dogs to meet that day. He and Charlie get along fabulously. I can only assume that he would be fine with other dogs as well, but stay tuned for updates. He has been just a little shy when meeting new people, but was very polite. We will find out much more about his social skills in a few days when we host Christmas at our house. I will be sure to update you then.

Personality – Skillet is a very chill dude. He does not get excited, or worked-up about anything. (Except  maybe when I announce that it’s walk time) He takes everything in stride.  Load noises or new places don’t seem to faze him a bit In fact last night my husband’s band practiced in our basement, and you would never know it by looking at Skillet. He just hung out on his dog bed playing with a toy. Speaking of toys, Skillet is my first foster that LOVES to empty the toy box. He is very gentle with the toys, but has made it his mission to spread them out all over the house each day. So cute! Skillet knows how to sit, and I have a feeling he knows much more. You can tell he has had people and a home in his previous life. He is very well adjusted.

Coat/Size Skillet is a neat size at about 30lbs, He’s just bigger than a Beagle, but not quite the size of a Border Collie. He is very solid and just a tiny bit longer than he is tall. To me he looks like a big Welsh Terrier or a small Airedale Terrier with a less curl in his coat. I think he would look even more like the two breeds if he had the traditional groomed haircut. His fur is rough and sheds very little. Or.... Border Terrier ???

Welsh Terrier

 Airedale Terrier

Border Terrier

Skillet