Hello, everyone.
Attached are a few of the first photos with Arlo (German name meaning ‘powerful’). He is quite photogenic, isn’t he?
Things are really working out well after only two days together. We have been on a few walks in the nature center (most pictures are from here) and he amazes me how well he listens. We walk on-leash well into the nature center (for leash lessons that he’s getting used to) and then run around and play in the trails. His attention is excellent and he always knows where I am. He comes when asked with very few exceptions. I am often amused by the things he doesn’t yet know from the garage door to crackling branches in the woods, even had a bit of a showdown with a small concrete wall towards dark. He has a bit of an issue with strangers but that will fade as he becomes more settled in (barking, growling). He has had no accidents much to my surprise and sleeps in the bedroom with me on the floor in his bed (with the door closed – we’re not quite yet to free reign of the house). No accidents today in the kennel either when I went home for lunch – he sure was excited to see me again, though. We played ball a bit and ran around the yard. He likes to antagonize the neighbor’s older black lab through his deep, booming bark and tough-guy act, but I think it’s all in good fun – we’re working on it though. He does enjoy eating his poop, but we’ll see if the red-pepper on it makes it less appealing.
We are quickly bonding and I know we are a good fit together. His face will eventually catch up with his ears, his feet are rather large, and his rear end is solid muscle – I think he will be a big boy someday. He really does just want to please and somehow works hard to do it but you’d never know he’s putting in a big effort – it really just comes natural.
Busy today, much work to do. Just thought I’d share a few thoughts and pics.