One Week!

It's been a week since Bear moved into our house, and he's come so far already!  He has relaxed a lot and he's very friendy and playful with our dogs, especially Brody - he has a very cute wiggle when he gets excited, kind of like a lab puppy!  He's not reactive with the other animals at all any more, and the guarding has pretty much disappeared, so those were obviously stress-related.  He has even tried to play with me out in the yard - play bowing and jumping around - and when I play bowed him back, he was so excited that he went zooming around the yard! (I'm sure the neighbours thought I was crazy, because I was out there in my bathrobe!)  He is still a little cautious with the cats, but mostly curious and friendly.  He was getting very upset about being left alone, separated from the other dogs, when we had to go out, and he did some damage to the carpet trying to escape the gate, so we decided to try leaving him out.  He hasn't had an accident inside for a few days now, we give him free run of the house when we have to go out, and he has been much happier. (I do put the cats in a separate room when we aren't here, but he hasn't really given me reason to worry, I am just a wee bit paranoid until I'm absolutely sure it's ok)  There was an 'incident' involving a rice-filled microwave heating pad today, but I'm pretty sure it was an accident, I think he thought it was a toy.  He did an excellent job of covering every square inch of the main level of our house in rice, it must have been fun! 

He has become significantly more relaxed with us as well.  He'll go through the door when we open it without us having to move away from it.  He follows me all around the house, and will often lay within a couple of feet of me - I've even touched him lightly with my foot a couple of times!  I've been working on introducing him to the clicker, and he likes the idea - he's very smart, and I think he'll catch on fast!

Bear - 1, Rice Bag - 0