Hello Deb and Holly,
Happy New Year! I thought I would drop you a line and let you know how things are going around here.
First, thank you for such a great dog. Jurgen has started coming out of his shell and he's pretty funny. In some respects, he is like a grandfather and other times he's a kid. The grandfather part is because he likes to be around people, grumbles and groans to himself, and then gives me a look that says "Why are we doing it this way? I've never done it that way.". The kid part is coming out as we find things that he really likes.
Jurgen is a smart guy. So far, he's learned sit, down, and waiting until he is told it is OK to go outside. He's also happy to go to into his kennel in the morning and sleeps in there at night. He is now allowed to roam around the room during the day and night because there have been no accidents for several months. He has torn the bed skirt a few times, but it was a lost cause anyway. Right now, we're working on staying out of the kitchen. It's too small for him and us.
He has found a favorite toy, finally. It turns out, he likes stuffed animals. He really likes a stuffed squirrel. He'll pick it up and carry it around with him and then stash it in his kennel. He's also ok with a guinea pig. Traditional dog toys don't really interest him. If you really want to see him excited, go reaching for a raw hide chew. That's when he starts jumping up and down.
We get out for a walk every morning before work. He's gotten really great about not pulling on the leash. He's learned all about ice too. The first few times of nearly taking a header convinced him that walking slower or on the snow was a better idea. He no longer looks exasperated with me when I slip. Probably the funniest thing to see is when a fire truck goes by. He likes to sing with them! He'll raise his head and howl as long as he can hear the siren once he gets started. I can tell you that sub zero temperatures are not his thing. He does his business and then goes right back towards the door.
We're still working on the dog reaction thing. I think he is getting better every time he sees one. It's no longer as strong and it has been a while since he's barked. I've already talked to friends about introducing him slowly to their dogs once it warms up.
I hope all is well with you and your families.
Wayne
I'd love to adopt Jurgen into the family officially. I took him to a Barn Dance yesterday evening and he did great with all the people. He was watching the cows in the distance, but I don't think he knew how big they were. The barn cat fascinated him. He also really liked the car ride. Here are a few pictures that I was able to get.