Day Three with Nico

It was another good day with Nico. We set out on our walk of socialization this time we went to the firehouse down the road from my house. The volunteers were having a holiday open house. We were there early but Nico was able to meet another group of men and kids. He did well with the men and wonderfully with the kids that ranged from one to five. Right away he was at ease with the kids, but took a little longer to warm up to the adults. His tail was relaxed and untucked the whole time so I believe he was showing the nature of the Greyhound when meeting strangers. My Dexter is the exception he loves everyone and greets everyone with a wagging tail and a pet me attitude. Nico and the many other Greys I've come to know recently all play the reserved grey just as the description says in many dog books and on the AKC web site. But it didn't take long for him to warm up and seek out the pets from the adults there.

After the firehouse we set off again, we walked back to the shopping center near my home and worked a little in front of the automatic doors at the grocery and while he's still a little unnerved by them he's not hiding behind me, instead he's getting more curious and wanting to investigate and that's a good thing. We made our way back home for some playtime in the backyard an hour of playtime to be exact for all of my dogs.

Since Nico's arrival I have been impressed with how quickly he's relaxed. He’s relaxed to the point that he runs to the door if the doorbell sounds and to our amazement he feels comfortable enough to chase our cat. At first I wasn't too distressed and set to training him to leave it and it was working. I was a little surprised because Nico tested cat safe. I am aware that it's no guarantee but he lived with two small dogs and a bird prior to this. My only explanation is he was too nervous and worried to chase them and the source of Nico's worry is removed and he's starting to show his personality. Yesterday afternoon Nico's curiosity got the better of my cat. Leo was sitting on the counter and Nico just couldn't contain himself and plucked Leo right off the counter. Tripping over a stool I took hold of his collar and got him to drop Leo before anything terrible could happen. I have concluded Nico is not cat safe.

The cat incident showed me something new about myself, it showed me that while Nico isn't my dog I care for him as if he is because my thoughts while the incident was happening was save my kitty and don't yell or you'll scare Nico and set him back. When I tripped over the stool though it hurt all I thought was I hope it didn’t startle him. Nico is mine while he's under my roof and just as I wouldn't get rid of my other dogs I won't remove Nico from my house either. He's with me for three more days and I will add coexisting with my cat to his list of rules, it's up to me as his leader to make it clear cat chasing, nipping or anything else involving the cat is off limits. He's eager to please me and what I'm asking him to do goes against his natural instincts, so I'll have to be extra vigilant and not leave him unattended with the cat.

Over all day three was great and I have no doubts that day 4 will go even better. Until then Woof, Woof, and Roo, Roo.