Why am I still so protective?

Oh well, so much for a better year. I bark even more at the men in the house. They don't like me so I bark. There's lots of tension going around. Hopefully soon we will go to training.

Happy New Year!

I am getting comfortable with my new family so I should be a better doggie this year!

My first time at the dog park

Thanks to Dogster, after reading the nice "reviews" we tried Harford Park, the dog park in Radnor. It was a wonderful experience. This was my first time letting Brent roam freely - without his leash. He did quite well. He came back when I called him (which some would expect since he follows me constantly). He played well with all of the other dogs. Sniffing, running, sniffing, staring, running, sniffing, greeting, playing fetch......a dog's idea of a great social visit! Brent was exhausted when we left and fell asleep in the car.

September Update

We've been so busy. Brent has had many socializing experiences - he is good in some (driving in the car & visiting parks and people's homes) and not good in others (lots of barking with guests). He has visited a nursing home and was absolutely wonderful. He was not afraid and didn't bark. He let people pet him and laid curled up on my Mom's feet. For the first time in years she went on the outside patio - to visit with the dog - go figure.

What is he?

Now that I have read more about dog breeds by doing the "What dog is right for you" type questionnaire on Dogster, I am thinking that he could be a Barbet as well. It's quite interesting to get a "mutt" from a shelter since you can't find out from the initial owner. It would be great to be able to fill out a questionnaire or something to help distinquish among the possible breeds. I don't know that it makes sense to spend the $ for DNA testing since he will be our pet regardless of his lineage...... :-)

The Great Escape

After 4 days in my new home I figured out how to increase my adventure - I just go where I want! My "dad" played with me in the yard and then left me outside since I was contently sitting at the fence looking down the street. After about 10 minutes my "Mom" was curious about what I was doing so she came to look for me. Much to her surprise, she didn't see me. After calling for me and getting no response, in her pj's she starting walking from end to end of the yard to no avail. Then on a whim, she went back into the house and opened the front door and ah ha, there I was at the front door! They didn't know how I got out of our fence. But, they were so happy that I knew my house and stayed nearby. Today I played fetch with my "dad" in the yard and instead of coming back to him one time...... he got no response. He told "Mom" to look for me in the front, and alas, there I was at the front door - again. So this time they could figure out which side I used for my escape. The question is how? So my "Mom" stood outside the fence and called me. To their surprise, I didn't go over or under the fence. I just trotted in between our fence and the neighbors. So, "Dad" has a little project this afteroon - that is if he expected to restrict my adventures......What can I say. I am smart, and I am a dog.