That’s what I’m getting from Rusty’s expression as I take him for his nut job.  He knows this isn’t a joy ride.

I hope Rusty doesn’t think he’s going back to the cell block.  That’s where I got him.  Sparky came from the Friendship APL orphanage.  Rusty came from the Mansfield Reformatory for Thugs and Hoodlums.  It was really the Richland County Dog Warden and Adoption Center, but there were plenty of tough guys.  

In all of the adoption paperwork, it’s clear that they screen the applicants to reduce the chance that the dog will be returned, but that is an option.  I always thought that I would never return a dog, but when Sparky and Rusty clashed, it’s something that I’ve considered.  The tragic part is that it’s not Rusty’s fault.  I think of Sparky as an autistic guy, not a mean girl.  

Rusty has gotten much less humpy as he has settled in.  Maybe since he realized that he lives here, and isn’t on vacation, he needed to clean up his act. 

In the coverage for the Olympic Games, there are always a few articles about how many condoms the athletes are going through.  This year, it took three days for the athletes to run through the stockpile.  Maybe that was Rusty’s philosophy.

Rusty is still annoyingly curious about Sparky’s undercarriage, but that may be unrelated to his testosterone.

I may have been overthinking Rusty’s introduction.

It still makes sense to get Rusty fixed early on in our adoption.  There are plenty of behavioral improvements that can come from his surgery.

Behavioral improvements: Neutering can help reduce certain behavioral issues in male dogs, such as aggression, roaming, and urine marking. It can also make your dog more obedient and easier to train.

When adopting a dog, there is a 3-3-3 rule of adjustment.

The first 3 days, the dog is overwhelmed, and isn’t acting very normal.  It’s best to keep life quiet and comfortable so the pup can relax.

The first 3 weeks, the dog is getting comfortable and learning the routines.  The dog may push the boundaries to see what he can get away with.  This is where Rusty is.

After the first 3 months, the dog is comfortable and knows the rules.  More advanced training can occur and the dog can be exposed to new situations, people or pets.

Rusty is moderately good at knowing his name, sitting on command, going to his crate and house training.  We’ve got more training to do, and it makes sense to start that after he’s been neutered and his behavior is at the new baseline. 

Sparky has set a high standard of behavior.  He had most of that right out of the box.  I’d like Rusty to get closer to Sparky’s level.  Rusty is a bigger and younger dog, so it’s more necessary.

Rusty jumps up to greet people and puts his paws up on the couch.  I’d like him to only do that with an invitation. 

With his pudgy body and short legs, Sparky is a comfort dog.  Rusty is an athlete.  Sparky is 50/50 on getting up on a couch without help, and prefers a footstool assist.  Rusty can scramble up to the backseat of my truck.  With the seat folded down, that’s almost four feet high.

Pocket dogs are challenged by stairs.  Sparky pauses at the top of the stairs to set the right rhythm.  Rusty pulls on the leash while going down the stairs.  He’s very confident.

Beagles can’t be outside unattended. 

When we had snow, Sparky could be walked without a leash.  He stayed on the trail because he’s got short, little legs.  With the snow gone, he can be walked with a 10 ft long free leash.  He wants to wander into the woods, and runs like a fat kid, so is easy to catch.  Rusty bolts for the road, and I’m the fat kid chasing him.  Rusty will probably never be free to roam.

Knowing me, I will try the leash with brush anchor, and will learn that it was a mistake.  Rusty will get much more out of going to a dog park, and we will try that when the weather improves.

It will take a month or so for Rusty’s testosterone levels to stabilize.  His behavior probably won’t change much, but it will be easier to work on his unappealing habits if we aren’t fighting biological imperatives.

The vet just called to say that Rusty is out of surgery and resting comfortably.  I will pick him up in a couple of hours.