Our puppy K is 11 months old; an adult puppy. She has not lost her puppy coat and she has times of crazy energy but she knows the rules and routine and follows them (most of the time) without stubbornness.

Since our last update we have done a genetic test on our furry family member to discover she is not a lab at all! She is mostly American foxhound, American Stafford Terrier, and a little Chow.

We had guessed she could be part chow because some siblings are very fluffy, plus she has spots on the bottom of her tongue, typical of Chows. We would not have guessed the other breeds, but with research about personalities and behaviors it makes sense. She is all nose, can track anything, but she is also all muscle, very agile, and alert. So we have a tracking/hunting dog also with guarding instincts.

With all the yard work we have been doing (more to come). It has been a task keeping  her from eating the fertilizer, plant food, weed killer,  (even gravel) that we have been laying down. It’s like she is a two year old toddler with shiny objects.

We just recently went back to Stony Brook and were able to do the full trail both ways! In the past K’s attention span meant that we only would make it part way. This time the park was crowded but she did not jump on a single person, something we have been working on.

Even though she is almost an adult, K still has many new experiences. At the park she was curious but afraid of balloons and strollers both items she has not seen before.

This past week K had another new experience, the groomers.  In the past she has been scared of brushes, not a huge fan of baths, and requires treats  to  cut her nails. With this in mind, I stayed for the appointment.

I was shocked and impressed at how well she did. The groomer was able to not only clip K’s nails and give her a bath but also trim down her winter coat with an electric shaver, something I thought she would be completely scared of. But the groomer was great with her and K is adaptable.

It’s hard to believe we have had K in our home for nine months. She has challenged and frustrated us, but also impressed and surprised us. We are glad to have her.