We have been calling this handsome boy "Rook" since he became a foster in The Johnson Household because we all think he is smart enough, if given enough time, he could master Chess. He is a 7-month-old (currently intact, neuter scheduled) Cattle dog/Border collie cross and is as smart as they come.
He would be an easy dog to trick-train or train in dog sports and listens very well to voice commands. We have been working on boundaries and manners, as he believes he should be a maximum of 2 inches away from you at all times. Because of this, he likes to jump, but he now understands that in order to get pets, he must sit. He is a cattle dog mix, so he sometimes likes to take a quick nip (especially at his foster brothers when playing) but he is easily swayed from that behavior with a quick no. Also true to his cattle dogness he is a talker and likes to make his voice heard. He would do very well with herding dog-savvy or dog-sport people.
Rook is very active and does require a fenced-in yard to get rid of some of that herding dog energy. He does have a decent "off switch" for a puppy. Once appropriately exercised, he will usually go select a bone out of the toy box or happily fall asleep on the couch. He just recently discovered the other toys in the box and has been seen happily tossing a toy around on his own. Other dogs in the household are not necessarily a must, Rook really just wants the attention of his human. Other dogs are really only fun when he gets to chase them around the yard. That being said, Rook does a very good job understanding social cues with other dogs and would be just fine in a multi-dog household.
Rook rides really well in a car and has good manners at the vet. Leash manners have been much improved, he loves walks and does not pull. He appears to be fully potty trained. He has never met a stranger, human or dog. He has been able to see cats briefly and the vet clinic and has good manners, he is untested beyond that. He is highly food motivated, we are working hard on taking treats gently from someone's hand. Rook despises a crate, but after some trials, we believe that he could possibly be trusted to free roam in the house. He free roams the upstairs at night and he has never gotten into trouble.
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