Tashi Gets Clean, Imprinted, Learns to Share, and Snuggles

Tashi has been settling into the family.  Having a dog at home is really like welcoming in a new baby.  I don't think most people realize how much work is involved.  We certainly didn't.  One of the things Tashi has discovered is that he loves taking baths with Jack.  Jack has his routine down and Tashi loves the warm water and dry off after the bath is done.  I like that he doesn't smell like pee for one day.  (Seriously, when is he going to lift his leg and pee?  Do we have to teach him that, or will it just come with age?) 

He's also realized that we are totally not okay with little Mr. Sneaky hiding under beds and eating crayons.  Daddy suggested imprinting, so we're doing it.  Most of the time, that means keeping him leashed and tied to the couch since we spend most of our time in the living room. He always manages to tangle himself up.  I've decided to leave him tangled for a while so maybe he will learn not to wrap himself around kitchen chairs.  He comes to my room and gets leashed to the chair by the computer desk when I'm working.  This imprinting is necessary until he learns he needs to chill and be around us when we are inside.  We don't keep him leashed the whole day, but really at times when we are so busy we can't constantly watch him.   Like I said, he likes to go grab things from the kids' rooms or yarn from my room and run around the house in a wild game of chase.  While I realize this means he wants to play--which we do plenty of--I'm not into the 'I'm gonna eat a pencil under the kids bed where you can't reach me just 'cause I can'  thing he was doing for a while.  Not good for him or our future relationship. We do the best we can to make sure things are off the floor, but the biggest issue is the sneakiness (well, that and biting, which we are still working on; ouch).  He no longer likes being in his crate while the house is busy, and seems rather content leashed to the couch.  We've put a pillow down for him with toys so he can hang out comfortably while we get things done.

Tashi's also learning about sharing.  Above, Oliver shares his beloved blankie with Tashi as they snuggle on Saturday afternoon (yes, my kids were still in their pjs in the pm---it was Saturday after all).  Below, Tashi returns the favor and shares his space with Oliver.

And, perhaps the thing Tashi has discovered he loves almost as much as eating and trying to grab the shoes from the shoe rack so he can chew on them: snuggling with Apa and taking naps.