So, we've been learning a few interesting things about Cougar.
First, he does FANTASTIC at the dog park! He was having a blast playign with a little pit/beagle mix named Bailey, they played dog "tag" and they played with a big tug rope, and with a ball. Than when other dogs showed up they both ran around with them, but he mostly stayed with either Bailey or Chopper.
Second, once he lays down and gets comfortable you have to walk over/around him because he stays put like a bump on a log lol
Third, he cannot handle our watering system (we have one of those big jugs that holds water and keeps a bowl full all the time) because he will drink to much, to fast, and than throw it up, so now we have to regulate the water so he gets enough, but not to much at once :)


Also, on another note, Cougar has now been accepted into the family by the alpha male of the house, Buddy. That is a BIG thing, and I'm SO proud of Buddy, I think that Cougar knew it was a big thing too because he howled for teh first time when Buddy walked right up against him without even a lift of his lip. I was SOOO happy!!!!


We have also been working on Cougars leash manners as a start to training him. He was already really well behaved when we got him, but he is only 8 and a half months old, and they are NEVER to old to keep up on training and get better. Lately we've been working with him on loose leash walking. How we usually do it is that I give chris some small, training sized treats that Cougar ONLY gets when he is working on training. Than, I take Buddy and Chopper, and Chris takes Cougar. I showed him first what to do with by using Buddy so he could visually see what to do, how to treat effectively (how often to treat, and that you don't treat EVERY time. Rotate treat and praise with just praise so that the treat is like a bonus), and all that jazz, than continued instructing him along the walk. Chris and Cougar are both doing REALLY good. today, we even had the added distraction of a small yappy annoying dog who kept yapping and growling and trying to pull its owner towards us, but Chris did a GREAT job at keeping Cougars attention and getting him to ignore the small dog by keeping his attention on Chris for the walk. Today, we even upped it a little, after only explaining it once to Chris he was able to get it so that on a walk when he stops walking, Cougar sits down. Cougar dosn't do it EVERY time, but he did it like 99% of the time by the end of the walk, it was pretty cool. I know that with more training he will only continue to get better.
SO TAKE THAT PETCO LADY! YOU IRRITATED ME TO NO END!! (not going into details about it, but UGH!)

I see lots of changes in Chris too, he seems alot happier now, and in better spirits than he has been latly. Makes me feel even better about agreeing to getting Cougar. I think Chris needed something to give him more motivation for stuff, something that depended on him (because, well, I'm a VERY independent person). Sure, he has George who is HIS snake, Ares who is HIS cat (when he is in trouble lol) and than Buddy is MINE and soup is MINE and everyone else is OURS and so even though Cougar is OURS he is mostly HIS, since its the type of dog he's always wanted. Chris didn't just need SOMETHING or SOMEONE he needed Cougar, they are really good together, and for one another.