Getting Settled In

Freddy's been with us for three weeks now, and he's making himself right at home.  I've been doing everything I can to make him feel more comfortable, and he seems to appreciate it.  He certainly licks my muzzle often enough, especially when we're both draped across Aunt Pat's lap or we're playing. 

Freddy likes to play with me, which I'm really enjoying.  We'll run around after each other either in the living room and dining room, or even outside. Freddy's finally discovered the chew toys!  He's a great chewer!

Whenever I see him pick up a toy, I have to make sure he knows how to play with it.  I know, he's an adult dog, like me, but I want to be sure he uses the toy properly, and doesn't get hurt.  Plus, with the way he's destroyed, err, chewed the toys, I want to be sure there's something left to play with!

 

 Plus, I want to play too!  He has this game with Aunt Pat in the back yard where he'll play Keep Away.  Aunt Pat will throw him a stick to fetch, but he won't bring it back.  He'll run away from Aunt Pat and dodge and turn until he lays on the ground with the stick to chew it. 

 

Another game we'll play is Tug-of-War.  Freddy's very good at it. I think it's because he gets a really good grip on the toy before we play.  He has to learn to be careful, because he'll pick up the toy a few times and roll it over before he gets the grip he wants to on it.  He's almost bitten Aunt Pat on the foot and on the hip a couple of times, because he uses her as a way to position the toy. 

So far, I've let Freddy win these little contests, because he's new and I don't want his feelings to get hurt.  So what if he has a bigger mouth and stronger jaws than I do.  I know I can play with the big dogs!  I am woman, hear me bark!