Isaac had numerous visitors over the holiday season, and behaved perfectly. A lot of them were little kids and it was good to see he wasn’t terribly interested (not scared either) in them. He is kind of aloof with people he doesn’t know, not standoffish or scared, he just doesn’t feel the need to gush over people (other than Noah and Kerry). He is very aware when someone comes to the door, but will go lay down or come while the door is answered and people enter the house (he’s alert and poised to go and check it out). When released he goes in for a few sniffs, but doesn’t jump and gush all over them.
- Mom, Dad, Robin, Josh, Ciara, and Aubrey for Christmas Eve dinner
- Brian and Lorene Coffey showed up on two separate occasions
- Chad and his two daughters were here on Sunday Night after Christmas.
- Kari & Jeff (2 kids and their dog buddy) and her brother Brian & Melisa (4 kids) Monday night for dinner. When they all showed up Bethany got dropped off by her friends mother, daughter and son (it was an insane zoo and he was fine). There were 14 people in the kitchen and entry way and a new dog and he wasn’t stressed at all. Oh and Jack and Noah were playing roller hockey in our driveway.
- He met buddy in the front yard when they arrived and allowed him in the house easily, buddy is a ‘little’ terrier mix and wanted to play until he realized what running with the big dogs means (Isaac left him with a ‘leave-it’ when I could tell buddy was getting a little touchy.
- Brian was able to play with him and get him to use his mouth a little as the evening wore on. (normally only Noah and I elicit this type of play). Not many outsiders rough-house with him
- He brought Kari his favorite chew toy for some ‘fetch’ and tug of war. Eventually I gave her his hose and he played fair and well with her (though he always went back to his pillow and made her call him to bring the hose in, he was definitely testing if she’d just let him have it).
- Marissa had 8 friends from high school over (stayed until 1 AM), they were rowdy in the basement outside his room and he was quiet when crated with all the noise and activity up and down the stairs.
- New Years Day for Brunch Debie/Husband, Daughter, and two foster kids.
During all these events Isaac was allowed to interact as people arrived, but was also crated during meal time or when the activity level was too high. He always complied and was quiet in his crate. Other times when told to ‘go lay down’ he would ’stay’ on his pillow in the living room while people were milling around (after being aloud to investigate). He is also always willing to present his favorite chew toy to people so they can toss it for him.
Though we have slacked in official SchH training, Isaac is ensuring his place in the house with good manners and social skills. Though he may have fallen behind in ‘real’ training, his behavior in the house around all the kids and strangers is good to see (kids are evil creatures) and is probably more important in our situation than SchH training at this point. Other than the 7.5 to 12 week socialization period I am treating the 7 – 14 month (or until sexual maturity) very seriously with strangers and other kids. This will be the time that his personality may change or he may react to situations differently than when he was a ‘puppy’. So far so good…….