A WEEKEND WITH FERGUS

I had company over on Friday night and Fergus didn't bark at the door and he greeted my guests very well.  He is such a happy little guy and he loves everyone.  Since we usually sit on one specific couch, he stuck to his turf for the night, without me, and sat between two of my friends.   I placed quite a bit of food on the coffee table and when he showed interest I only had to correct him a few times before he just steered clear of it all.  Now, if we weren't in the room, I'm sure that would be a whole other story (good bye shrimp ring and chicken wings!)

Saturday was quite a nice day outside and we ventured out to the school field in my neighbourhood.  Fergus went on the 80' leash and roamed around the field.  He got zoomies a couple of times and ran circles around me, pulling at tufts of grass and zig-zagging.  

....at the end of my leash, 80' away, and not a care in the world

oh...and what's over there?

I called Fergus at a moment when I figured he would come...and he did.

He is fairly good about running back to me when called, but mostly because I'm carefully picking when to call him back.  When he's deep in a good sniff at something or when there is another dog nearby grabbing his attention he does not listen.   The more I follow through with calling him and making him come back using the leash though the better he seems to be. 

The stop at the field was to give him a chance to burn some energy off before we stopped at the curling club.  He is no problem to be left for a short bit.  He doesn't cry and I think he just lays down and sleeps.   After my brief visit I took Fergus for our 'real' walk at the beach.  

Waiting to be invited out.

When we arrived at the beach I had my camera ready and waiting to show off how good Fergus is now at waiting at open doors.  He waits until he is asked to come out.  This took a real test of patience in the first couple of days of fostering but after many, many attempts to jump out and me placing him back he finally realized I would out match him.   Manners are important afterall and it's a matter of safety too.  

Fergus just loves the water and mostly shows no fear.  He was a little put out by one particual wave which caught him off guard but then he was quickly back in there.



Jillian's not the only one with kung-fu moves apparently





'let's go find some more'



Near the end of our walk we ran into a woman with four dogs.  I let Fergus off leash and he ran circles around everyone.  He plays with anyone and everyone.   Big or small, doesn't matter.  Apparently at dog daycare he jumps the partition to get into the big dog side.  Maybe he doesn't think of himself as small...he wouldn't be the first TG dog to be like that.   He was easily leashed up again after his brief off leash run and it was time to go home.  

'are you sure we have to leave?'

He really loves the beach and the water and the people and dogs.  He could stay for a very long time and be quite content.  He does zonk out in the truck once we get there so at least I know I've drained his energy.

On the first couple of days with Fergus I realized he looked like something familiar.  When he gets to the end of the leash he uses the tension to stand on his hind legs and balance (don't worry he's not choking on the collar...it's still too big for him).  Usually its another dog at a distance that prompts him to do it.  It was my friend Kathy that mentioned he stands like a Meerkat.   "That's it" ...that's what I've been thinking he's like.  I couldn't catch it perfectly but usually he stands more upright too.

So...that's it for now.   I have to get Fergus out for his last walk of the night.   There are so many great applications in for him now and we are in the process of meeting a few people.  I'll keep everyone posted on his progress.   Next dog run on Sunday, but I would never rush one dog out the door to get another.  They take as long as they take, and that's all there is to it.