Oh this is the second doggy adoption story I've read about on my f'list today! How exciting. Congratulations on finding Max. He sounds wonderful! They're beautiful loyal dogs.
If he's anything like my rescue dog, he will change a lot in a surprising amount of time, but the early days will be tiring and anxious. Routine works wonders, I think. Once he starts to know that there will be regular mealtimes, things will change. He may always love food though--my little one's definitely an opportunist, and we can't leave food lying around. ;) Make sure that you set boundaries for him so he knows where he stands and that you're the pack leaders--he'll respect that and feel more comfortable if you show him you're in charge. Praise him for doing good things, like not destroying stuff, coming to you when called, all of that. He may never have had a protective pack leader--he is probably used to having to survive on his own, and he will find it so reassuring that you guys are there now and he doesn't have to do all the defensive stuff himself.
Oh, and it will be exciting to see him learn what healthy playing is! My dog did not know what playing was when we got him. Now he loves his play time--fetch and tug-of-war--it is such a delight to see. Make sure not to play rough with him as he'll think aggression is allowed.
You probably know all this! I just like babbling about dogs. ;)
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Date: 2008-12-30 01:34 pm (UTC)If he's anything like my rescue dog, he will change a lot in a surprising amount of time, but the early days will be tiring and anxious. Routine works wonders, I think. Once he starts to know that there will be regular mealtimes, things will change. He may always love food though--my little one's definitely an opportunist, and we can't leave food lying around. ;) Make sure that you set boundaries for him so he knows where he stands and that you're the pack leaders--he'll respect that and feel more comfortable if you show him you're in charge. Praise him for doing good things, like not destroying stuff, coming to you when called, all of that. He may never have had a protective pack leader--he is probably used to having to survive on his own, and he will find it so reassuring that you guys are there now and he doesn't have to do all the defensive stuff himself.
Oh, and it will be exciting to see him learn what healthy playing is! My dog did not know what playing was when we got him. Now he loves his play time--fetch and tug-of-war--it is such a delight to see. Make sure not to play rough with him as he'll think aggression is allowed.
You probably know all this! I just like babbling about dogs. ;)