Coconut

Coconut has gone to his forever home..Good luck Coco

Coconut actually sat in a dog bed with our dog Luke! Up till now he has left when Luke tries to snuggle. Coco is following Luke around the yard a lot more now, he will chase after balls and toys, but backs off when he sees Luke going for it.
Coco will bark and jump around when we come home now and has let out a bit of a growl, a few times . We are thinking the growl is just excitement as he finds it very difficult to sit down for his hello pet with all the wiggling going on.

Coconut is way too funny, he tosses his toys and chases them around the room. Will bring a toy to you so you can toss it for him.
Had an extra long walk to the beach today, Coco enjoyed the water. Met a few people that he did not want to visit with, just kept his distance. Coco is so very patient when we have to stop he just sits and waits.





And yet another article..Small Dog Syndrome

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/smalltoydogs.htm

rain

Coconut spent a lot of time out in the rain yesterday keeping an eye out as I gardened. He kept himself busy checking out under bushes. 
Coco does not bark at noises in in the neighbor hood, barking dogs or people walking down the street. Nice!
He does not like fire crackers (we are in cottage country so it is a weekend thing ) he will go into his crate.
Coco is playing more with toys, he checks out the toy basket looking for something to play with. But his favorite toy is the one my dog has just put down LOL..places a ball where he can get it to roll so he can catch it..

walking

Had Coconut out for another walk tonight. I can not get over how wonderful he is on a leash. He walks behind you bear your heels, trots along like a little angel. Never fusses over the neighbor hood dogs barking like mad at us as we pass.
What a pleasure to walk with such a well behaved dog.

Plays fetch

Coconut plays fetch! He found a toy rope and shook it and tossed it a bit. When asked he brought it to me and dropped it so I would toss it for him. He is very good at letting me have the toy.
Coco is still not interested in playing fetch or any game with my dog.
As part of Coco's training I ask him to sit before coming into the house, for his food and for attention.  He is a smart little guy, in just a few days it is almost second nature. With the right home he will be the perfect companion.
Here is an article on another method called "Nothing in Life is Free" an interesting read
http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/nothing-life-free

Alpha Dog

Coconut did very well when we had company last night. He barked when they came in the door but stopped when told. Coconut was very well behaved and they were all impressed with him.
Later while relaxing we invited Coco up on the couch to share in some cuddling. When our dog went to sit nearby, Coco growled (to keep him away from my husband) so he was taken off the couch, with a firm "no". Makes us feel so mean, but we know it is important for Coco to be taught who is Alpha in this home.
Here is a good article on becoming the Alpha in your home

http://www.pets.ca/dogs/articles/whos-in-charge/

Getting to know Coconut

Coconut is getting used to our family life, and we are finding out more about him each day. He will bark for attention, a soft deep cute bark, to be let out or when the door bell rings but he will stop when told. Certainly a pretty quiet Guy.
We found he does not like to have his crate door locked, that will cause him to bark. Last night we left the crate open, he checked to see if he could sleep in our bed, with a firm " no go to crate" he soon settled in for the night. During the day we will find him curled up in one of the open crates, as happy as can be.
He is learning that he needs to be invited up onto the couch, no jumping up on his own. If he is not invited up he will go into his crate no problems.
He sits as cute as can be for attention and his meals, certainly a smart little guy.
It is pretty funny when he spots the cat, Coco will get himself into a safe spot real quick. Not in the least bit aggressive, the cat sure is happy with this guy LOL.
He is still being cautious around us, not going into his crate each time we tell him no or speak to him with a firm voice, and he is making more eye contact.
Starting to check out the toys, and did a bit of rolling around playing with us last night.
No interaction with the other dogs, after the initial sniff he has just been ignoring them.
A great little guy for the right family.

History

Coconut has had two homes in his 5 years. The first home kept him crated 8 to 10 hours a day while they worked. The second home loved him so much, Coco decided to be the alpha Dog. He would not let the husband get near the wife, did some growling and has bitten him. His Mom tried to follow the instructions given by the trainer to curb this behavior, but with the husbands health they decided it was best to give up Coco.
Coco's new home will need to set boundaries and limitations in order to avoid this behavior. Coco is a very timid dog and loves to please, so as long as limits are in place there should be no issues.

Coconut

Coconut has just arrived..stay tuned for pictures and updates