So we have had Loki for three months now. We're told that this is the milestone when we can be confident that we understand an adopted dog's "true personality." If that's correct, then we have a wonderful dog.
Loki is completely comfortable hanging out in our condo unit. He likes to sleep in his upstairs bed at night and he hangs out with us in his living room bed while we read or watch videos. During the day, he often keeps Becky company in the office or lounges around in the most trafficked location in the unit. That would be at the spot connecting the kitchen, dining room, stairs, and front door. It's the best place to be attuned to whatever is happening, but he's kind enough not to move when we need to step over him. If I'm outside reading or playing my guitar, he'll often lie watching me from inside the sliding glass door.
He's become more comfortable sitting outside with us, but he usually wants to get back inside unless both of us are out with him. Even then, he'll soon prefer that we all go inside. I suspect there are just too many surprising things happening outside: squirrels in the trees, leaves falling on the deck, flying insects, people walking by, etc. He remains quite alert to the world when he's outside. Nevertheless, he'll eventually agree to hang out with us as long as we like.
He's also learning not to be so reactive to other dogs when we walk him. This is largely a consequence of our giving him a small treat whenever he sees and comes close to a dog. He is, though, still quite wary of other dogs and can lunge at them if surprised by them. He remains a pretty nervous animal. His separation anxiety seems to be abating, but he still assumes his post by the door whenever Becky leaves the house. In the past, he would try to wake us by whimpering around 5:30, but he seems to be getting over that.
He occasionally comes around looking for attention or wanting to play. There are times when he's quite excited and will play as long as we're up for it. Other times, he quickly tires of the game (fetch) and just lies down to hoard his toy. He's particularly fond of a plush toy in the shape of a lamb. I guess we should expect that from a German shepherd, but he's also quite fond of a slightly spongy baseball which he'll pick up in his mouth, then drop it and bat it around the carpet with his front paws.
He seldom barks. His main form of vocalizing is whimpering. Understandably, he does bark when someone knocks on the door, but he'll also bark if he gets just a bit too excited about the prospect of going for a walk or when he's about to get his favorite treat a "Check Up." Check Ups are crunchy bone-shaped treats that he gets daily to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on his teeth. We brush him while he chows down on the Check Up and he'll stand patiently for us to finish brushing him when he's done with the Check Up. It's hard to know what the whimpering is about. He'll do it in all manner of circumstances. It might just be his way of getting our attention.
We feed him in the morning and again after our own dinner. He'll usually lie patiently in the dining room until it's his turn to eat and then come quickly to the kitchen for his dinner. He's remarkably alert to any sound that would suggest we're breaking into one of his treat bags, even if he's upstairs, and for reasons that are completely mysterious, he'll run upstairs to see me whenever I change from my jeans to my sweat pants or vice versa.
Perhaps the biggest relief we've had recently is discovering that with enough treats (especially Check Ups), he'll tolerate a bath. His first bath as a real fright. His second bath was better, but his third bath was almost easy. Again, it's all about treats. Bribery is no crime in this house as long as it gets the job done. We'll reduce his payments as he comes to understand what is required of him. We are, after all, still trying to bring his weight down from 70 pounds to around 60. Hopefully, treats will persuade him to climb into the car on his own when we need (or want) to drive him somewhere. That's a challenge we haven't fully embraced yet.
All in all, he seems to be a very a happy, well-adjusted boy who largely understands what we expect of him and is willing to accommodate us. As a blonde German Shepherd, he's a pretty rare beast and his one floppy ear makes him truly special. He adds so much joy to our lives.
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