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Lottie will be four
months old tomorrow. She is now about the same
size as my Springer Annie with whom she shares a
kennel.
The critical period for
socialisation is over, and we taken quite a
lot of trouble to introduce Lottie to as many
sights, sounds, and experiences as we can.
It is interesting at
this point to note some distinct differences
in character between Lottie and my Labradors.
This little
Chesapeake is developing an 'assertive' personality.
She is a good deal more inclined to be vocal around
the kennel than my other dogs. She has a strong
tendency to make a noise when she is
greeting a member of the family approaching the
kennel and we frequently have to wait before opening
the kennel door so as not to reward her for this.
She does not however bark when she is bored and
seems quite content to sleep for much of the
day. Nor is she noisy when exercised, or at night.
The noise for the most part seems to be specifically
a 'greeting' behaviour, though she is
sometimes vocal when picked up. The back of my
car is rather high and to protect her hips, I
don't allow Lottie to jump in an out yet.
Despite being very familiar with being lifted in an
out of the car, Lottie is still inclined to
fuss and yowl when carried.
Lottie is also quite
reserved with strangers. She will wag her tail
a little if they speak to her and sniff an offered
hand gently, but that is all. She
doesn't make any overtures of friendship as a
Labrador would normally do. |
