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meets all the requirements for being house-trained; he goes in the appropriate places and is somewhat predictable. We would like to see him more clearly communicate the need to go.
Food/Eating:
Fezzik is able to eat among all four other dogs, and shows no aggression or resource guarding. Our household feeding routine is that each dog must sit and be calm before being allowed to eat. He follows our family practice of skimming the other food bowls when done. Fezzik takes treats with gusto, but never snapping. Gently almost.
Social: humans
Fezzik went to Home depot with Henrik and was quite social with new folks. He seems to really like our neighbor and will put his paws up on the dividing fence and actively look for him. Fezzik is friendly with the mailman whereas our dogs will bark, etc..... During a christmas party, we had to have him crated outside, and many folks came outside (with me, of course) and we let him out and he was adorable with them. For another party, Fezzik was crated inside, and again was so well behaved; accepting treats and staying calm and friendly. On our walks, Fezzik wags his tail when humans approach, and attempts to approach them. We do not allow this, and continue walking with him. There is room for improvement on a leash but since his arrival, his leash skills have improved immensely. Fezzik does have the FOMO behavior, and wants to be close to either one of both of us. He will lay down behind me when I am at my desk, and he does the same with Henrik while in his office. When Henrik and I worked on our Christmas jigsaw puzzle, Fezzik was happy only when on his dog bed in very close proximity to us.
Social: dogs
Fezzik has been in the company of four other dogs for a week now, our two, and my daughters two. Fezzik actively plays and seeks out three of them, and they run and chase and play tug-of-war together. Fezzik played well at the home of the first Christmas party with their pit-mix for awhile, and then when it escalated, the other dog pawed on the patio door, asking to leave the area. Fezzik was sad and wanted to follow, but since the house was filled with 20+ persons, he was not allowed in. When it is TV time, Fezzik is on the floor closest to Henrik, and stays there with us. If one of us leaves an area, Fezzik does have a FOMO whining reaction, but then settles down.
Fezzik is:
Energy Level 3-Your Basic Shepherd: Needs daily exercise and play time. Some walking/hiking/training, and/or fetch will round out their day and allow them to settle in the evening.
Temperament Level 4-In addition to Level 3 behaviors: Cautious, may not be comfortable with all types of people, has fear or anxiety issues, wary of other dogs. Needs a skilled handler with GSD experience.