So as I was walking River last night for his nightly walk I thought it might be helpful to compile of list of "good to know" things about River. I have blogged about them in different posts but it is nice to have it in one spot.1. River loves to be petted.
2. River likes to be close to his humans and dog friends. His favorite thing is to be curled up sleeping by your feet. If you are not around he likes to be around his doggy buddies.
3. River loves to eat. He is extremely food motivated. It makes training him to do new things easier. String cheese or hot dogs are easy cheap treats that he enjoys. He eats his dinner up with relish but is not a food guarder.
4. River hates crates. He panics when locked in one. I think it must have to do with his former life. I am trying to slooooowly train him that they are ok but feeding him in a crate but it would be great is River could just live the rest of his life crate free.
5. River has to be pottied often when he is awake and playing but you can leave him for several hours during the day accident free as he just sleeps.
6. River sleeps very soundly and you have to wake him up slowly so as not to startle him.
7. River almost knows the sit command and will sit every time for food. He will also go down for a food treat.
8. River needs to go down stairs on a leash or he will just fling himself down and fall. He can however go up stairs without a leash and someday may be able to go down by himself too, just not right now.
9. River needs to be on a leash at all times when he is outside and you have to be his eyes, stopping at curbs to let him know he has to go up and down, not letting him run into pokey bushes and poke himself in the eye. I let him do this once and felt like a horrible "guide person". He is very easy to walk on the leash and potties wonderfully on the leash. If it is dark and he starts to get nervous or unsure a big hug and some pets go a long way to comfort him. He is relatively easy to walk on the leash as well.
10. River loves toys. His favorite toy is a kong, especially with yummies stuffed in it but he will play with it empty as well. He likes to fling it around and find it. Sometimes River will even go outside and go potty with his kong in his mouth. He also likes stuffed toys. He likes them so much he thinks there legs/eyes/ears/etc need to be removed. He is good about not eating the stuffing though.
I am sure there are more things but I thought I would start with 10 for now.
Riding home "watching" the cars go by. Since he can still see light and dark movements the cars going by were very interesting.
First night in his new home settling right down after finding the water bowl.
Stealing Misty's ball.
Sharing Misty's (the yellow lab) bed, I think River really enjoys his new sister and she might like his just a little bit.
New bone!
Awww contentment.
