The best mannered pup in our world

CHIP, of course is who I am speaking of. I have read quite a few of the posts on Behavior and thought I would speak of some of the fabulous things Chip does.

We live on a quiet street with joggers, bicycle riders, folks just looking, and folks with their dogs. We have a large yard in the woods that is not fenced other than a "Wooden Rail Fence". Chip has his Run/designated play area that is fenced. We spend a lot of time working in our yard and 1/2 Acre garden about one block down the road from us. We have taught Chip to remain in the yard, back from the street. He has given us no problems with barking at people, wild animals, or other dogs. Folks talk to him from the street, most times with one or more dogs with them, he never barks at them. Just sits down with ears erect and watches. You can see the wheels turning but he never waivers.

I have said before that he knows no strangers, meaning he is friendly with everyone human and animal. When anyone unfamiliar to him visits he immediately goes to that person or persons with tail wagging and a big puppy smile on his face. He loves everyone and they love him.

House broken. Has not been in a crate since we brought him home from breeder. We have a soft plastic enclosure that he sleeps in and occupies when we leave the house. Not always ready to go into the "Crib" when we leave during the day, never refuses to go to bed at night. Sleeps from 9:00 PM to 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning without so much as a whimper. Barks his happy bark when we play with him. Any time of day when "Nature" calls he comes to one of us and barks to be let outside. He is not a "treat junkie". He does get a treat any and all times he does good. In the event we forget the treat there isn't any commotion from him, just goes about his play or whatever he was doing.

Loves to go into the bathroom in the morning and evening with either of us. Has a couple unique toys in there such as the cardboard tube from toilet tissue, thinks he has to lick my feet when I get out of the shower. LOL We have a mirror low enough he can view His Highness. Will bark at the image or lick the mirror then simply lies down until we turn the light off.

Chip has favorite areas in the yard as well as inside our home. Back yard is for fetching and general running and diving into our small pond with the frogs. We have two large porches as well as a Gazebo. When we are sitting in/on either, he amuses himself by chasing squirrels or looking in utter amazement at the many birds at our feeders. Quite often he just reclines and enjoys himself.

Now, I don't want anyone to think this pup is not active. About 12 to 14 hours per day he wants to play, full tilt !!!! He had gotten pretty rough playing with me, my fault. His ultra sharp baby teeth have made a number of nasty cuts in my arms and hands. Decided I had better stop that so one day I sat him down in front of me while I was lying on the ground. Had been playing with him and it was getting rough. I told him that was the last of it, there would be no more biting myself or anyone else. When I play with him now he is told not to bite me. The mouth clasp on my hand or arm is very soft, he has only gotten rough one time since.

I know our laid back Spring and Summer time is very helpful plus we are with him pretty much 18 to 20 hours per day including his night time.

Chip will be five months old the 15th of June. Three months with this Beautiful Tri Sheltie has been just like it was when we had our four children. We adore this pup and we think he feels the same.

Just thought some of you might like to know something about "HIS HONOR the CHIP".

Thirteen weeks old in this photo.