Django

I was actually going to email you today, myself. So, far Django is the dream dog. I'm not sure how much of it is his actual disposition and how much is maybe just being a little overwhelmed and nervous, but if it's disposition...I am going to LOVE him! We were really worried last night because our local Petsmart, along with *two* Walmarts, were out of the crates in his size...so we couldn't begin crate training and had to leave him loose in the living room/kitchen area over night. Jeremiah gated him in with baby gates and we went to bed. I hardly slept a wink because I kept envisioning waking to a bunch of chewed furniture and a scratched up floor from trying to get out of the gate. I didn't want to go downstairs to check on him, because I didn't want to rile him if he was sleeping, so I just listened from the door a couple of times and never did hear anything. I finally drifted off to sleep about 3am! But instead of chewed furniture and scratched floors, I got up early to take him for a morning walk, to find him lounging, lazily on the sofa...everything in the room just as we had left it. We spent about a half hour outside and he was calm and listened well. I half expected him to lunge out the front door when I opened it, dragging me behind. But he was easy going and even a little lazy, since when I tried to run with him he was more interested in sniffing around than getting a run in. I'll chalk that up to exploring unknown territory and it being a little icy out still...and I'll work on him. LOL. So, after making it through the night and such a calm start to the morning, I had begun to think we wouldn't need to crate train. After our run/walk, I brought him back in, gated him back in the living room and headed upstairs for my shower. Before I knew it, he was behind me on the stairs (he must've cleared that gate like it was a door mat, because I never heard a thing). I tried twice more before just taking down the stupid gate because, clearly, it's no deterrent for him. :) But, he did stay downstairs and seems to listen very well (we've only had one instance of stubbornness because he *loves* being outside...and can't pass the front door without giving me a wishful sigh to take him out. Anyway, no accidents so far (and it's now been about four hours since we went out -- I'm babysitting today and have been waiting to take him out when the baby leaves -- in just another half hour or so). I think once I figure out how to do what *I* am supposed to do, he'll fall right in line. The only thing I'm worried about is that he hasn't eaten. Is that pretty typical when they first come home? Many friends have told me it will take a bit. Also, will he become a little more rambunctious as he becomes more familiar with us or do you think as long as we continue to work with him, that what I'm seeing now is his natural disposition? Anyway, thanks so much. My daughter is in love and even me...the most hesitant of my crew...has fallen for him. My heart still has a special place for Moose, so if and when he does adopt, I'd love to hear about it if possible. But, I definitely think Django was the way to go. BTW, I looked on line and it seems like Django, is pronounced Jango...the D being silent! Oh, and one other thing...bathing. Do you know if he likes his baths? I just want to make sure before I allow my daughter to participate in giving him his first bath. Kristen