Training Grissom

We've been working on wait and lay down as obedience commands and Grissom is catching on well, tho when you tell him to lay down, he goes to the nearest bed. Can't blame him. I wouldn't want to lay down on the floor either. He's so eager to please, he makes it easy to work with him. The main challenge is that, being a puppy, his attention span is very short, so stay requires repeating the command to help him remember what he's doing.

He's loving this chilly weather and runs circles in my yard with Kelley, my girl hound. He gets so excited about the action that I have to send him back out to do his business. Guess he thinks it's more important to have fun.

He's also proving to be a bit of a watch dog. When he sees people or another dog going down the street, he lets out a couple of sharp, quick woofs, just to be sure I know he's reporting in.

Grissom and M&G

Grissom did very well last Sunday at his first M&G at the Charlotte PetsMart. He was really excited to see so many hounds in one place and much appreciated the attention he got.

Yesterday, he went to the M&G in Spring Hill to spend the afternoon with Tonya Beader's newest hound, Roman. It was a very busy place, with five other rescue groups set up in front of the store. There was lots of barking and many, many small dogs, but Mr. G. could have cared less, as long as people were petting him. He was a big hit with everyone he met, which is understandable because he's so affectionate and a world class leaner.

Now that he's settled into his foster home, we're going to work this week on some basic obedience commands. Yesterday he had a break through with stay, so we'll move on to sit and rest. Oh, and by week's end, I hope he'll be jumping in my Honda Element on his own. Surely he doesn't expect to get boosted in for the rest of his life.

Thx. to Lou Lewis for her pictures of his handsome boy.

Grissom the Collector

Wow. Grissom has developed the collecting hobby. Last night, I walked in the den and found a sweater, a sock, a piece of fleece and a pile of cat hair (groomed from cat. I'd put it in the trash.)

He was very proud of himself. This morning, he came in with some pattern pieces I use when making dog coats as well as the sock from last night (encore collecting! I know I should put my stuff up.) He also tried to make off with one of Ray's golf shoes, but I guess it didn't taste very good. Swapped him for a bully stick and he liked it a lot better.

It's not like he doesn't have toys to play with. Trust me, he has lots of choices, it's just that there are so many interesting things around. No chewing, just collecting. Maybe this'll motivate me to put stuff up. Not!

Grissom 's First Week

Grissom's had a very good first week. He crates great and is uber-affectionate. Happy should be his name because he just can't get enough of this post-retirement life and all the interesting people and things in it. What a waggy tail!

He's done great with our cats and crates beautifully. He eats like a champ and has already learned to play with stuffies and to beg for treats and to chew on rawhides and bully sticks. He has a beautiful, sleek black coat and crazy ears that point in all directions at the same time.

He responds well to correction — just a stern 'no' does the trick. He's just a bit over two, so he's eager to learn and inclined to explore everything. We're working on his leash walking skills — he's not too bad — just pulls at first because he's so excited to be out in the world.

Grissom Arrives

Grissom has spent a peaceful first night here. So far, he's been fine with the cats and my hounds, Shadow and Kelley, have explained some of the basics of home life, like staying out of their faces.

He's very affectionate and sweet and just wants to be with us. Will post more after he's settled in.