Sampson-Part 2

It's a really good thing that Sampson is good with Heather's baby because if he weren't he'd be in the shelter by now.

When she first brought him home he marked the entire house repeatedly. He also chewed up some pretty expensive blankets, baby toys and furniture. He was impossible to walk and really hard to train. He was sent to obedience school and learned the basics but his marking habit would have to be solved with surgery, you know, neutering. It's a good thing too, because he couldn't be within 3 feet of my dog without "showing interest" and drooling uncontrollably. Pathetic. He still peed at times for no apparent reason but it's less frequent now.

Sampson has more energy than any dog I've seen, crazy energy. He runs about the house madly chasing after every unfamiliar sound he hears. He returns to the baby's side and lays next to him after each bark led investigation. Sometimes, though, he uses his mouth to get the baby's attention. Nips at his ankles and his hands, he does that to adults as well. It's really annoying. No, seriously, really annoying! He doesn't stop, won't stop until you pay attention to him and cuddle him or pet him. He's getting better but it's still annoying so any tips in this department would be appreciated.

I am house sitting for Heather this week and have brought Contessa with me. I thought that her calm energy would rub off on Sampson but it hasn't totally, yet. Yet, I hope. She saunters around and he runs and runs. She lays down and he runs and runs. She gets up to move and he runs and runs. She sits down and watches him run. The only time he's still is when he's on his leash in the yard. He's approached her several times and she wants nothing to do with him. She gives him silent warnings, which he ignores so she snaps and lunges toward him. Sometimes he runs away whimpering like a little girl and stands ten feet away panting. Sometimes he runs away whimpering like a little girl and then stands ten feet away barking and half growling. He's never shown any more returned aggression than that but when it occurs I command him to come to me, sit, down and stay. Which he does. He seems to get that Tessa is his boss and I am her boss so that means I'm his boss too.

I'm hoping that by the end of the week here they'll be much more used to each other and calmer around each other. Again, any advice is welcomed!