Jesse

As an ex-coyote hunter, Jesse may look imposing at 90 lbs with all his fuzzy fawn fur. After a few months, he has transitioned remarkably into an excellent house dog, becoming sweeter as he acclimates to domestic life. Once dedicated to ranch work, Jesse is now relishing his retirement.

He exhibited exceptional house manners from the moment we brought him home. I took his belly band off in less than an hour; he doesn’t mark, or have accidents, demonstrating that a dog door is unnecessary. Jesse promptly completes his outdoor duties and eagerly returns to his comfortable home environment, fluffy dog beds, and affectionate companions. He sleeps all night in a dog bed next to us. . His strong motivation for food makes both mealtime and treat time particularly enjoyable for him. Standing at countertop height, we ensure no food is left out to prevent any potential issues. Jesse is very attached to people, especially men, often displaying a “Velcro dog” tendency.

Although Jesse possesses significant strength, he seldom uses it. While he tends to pull slightly on his leash out of excitement for walks, he generally prefers to remain close by, occasionally zigzagging during strolls. Jesse is intelligent, having learned to operate doors with handles, though round doorknobs pose no issue for him. He is courteous, gentle, and enjoys observing activities in various rooms. Notably, he dreams of running, vigorously kicking his hind legs while sleeping. He lacks a sleep startle reflex, remaining calm even when petted during slumber. Jesse shows affection by draping his upper body over individuals for a hug.

Jesse is very attached to his people and experiences separation anxiety when left all alone, although he is not destructive. He might shred paper and boxes, pace, pant, carry belongings to his bed without chewing them, or jump on counters, potentially knocking items off. Other dogs alleviate his anxiety, providing comfort. We do not crate Jesse when we are away or confine him in a room where he cannot see out the door. Instead, we make the house smaller by closing bedroom doors to prevent access. Jesse does not tamper with blinds, doors, or furniture but stands and pants; however, he is learning that we always return and eventually will settle on his bed.

Jesse has a designated exercise pen for sleeping on some nights, where he is happy because treats are always provided. However, he can jump over the top of the x-pen, sometimes resulting in getting on bed. To prevent this, I have started covering the x-pen with a blanket or a large dog bed, which has been effective. Being close is very important to Jesse.

Jesse is afraid of thunder and fireworks, so we just keep him inside and huddle up in our room with the door closed and let him pace until he’s ready to settle down. He still isn’t cat safe, or chicken or rabbit safe; he has a very high prey drive towards those types of animals. Nonetheless, he has been gentle and observant when introduced to other dogs, showing respect towards visiting Italian Greyhounds.

In summary, Jesse is a genuinely affectionate and gentle companion towards people. As with any sight hound, he appreciates a comfortable dog bed and adapts well to routines. He is not a picky eater and remains content with available food options. Overall, his demeanor is calm, polite, sweet, and gentle. Jesse thrives in the company of people and can be trusted to stay home alone for extended periods. Although not high-energy, he displays excitement upon your return by wagging his tail and playing with his toys enthusiastically. He loves affection and quickly learns new things and routines when properly motivated.