“Corvus”

Training engagement (low/medium/high):

One Year: Corvus has consistently had an extremely high drive to train. He LOVES food and is more than happy to work for it. He is also happy being rewarded with tugging, fetch, and pets. He easily was able to complete a puppy class, advanced puppy class, competitive obedience, and rally class all before turning a year.

Engagement outside of home has faded slightly due to typical adolescence, but the drive to train is still extremely evident.

Three Years: Training engagement is high. Corvus loves to work and move his body. He does appreciate that we are not super repetitive in training. He works well for food, toys, and even just general praise. He likes to use his brain and typically picks up on new skills fairly quick. Once he gets a few good reps, he catches on fast.

Energy level (low/medium/high):

One Year: Energy level is on the high side. He does have an appropriate off switch and is not over-energetic. He is happy to hike for miles, play for hours, or train for extended periods of time. He will take quick power naps and be ready to work again. He tends to have an always ready to go type persona.

Three Years: Medium. He is a very busy dog overall but has grown to have a wonderful settle. He prefers activity but does well with rest days as needed. He thrives with a mix of daily mental and physical work.

Biddability (low/medium/high):

One Year: Biddability is high most of the time. Of course being a spitz, they have their own naughty ideas and antics they have to attend to. Overall though, he tends to be super biddable. He loves to work and train with me, but he does appreciate not being super repetitive and taking short breaks in sessions. He is not one to typically blow off or ignore a command.

Three Years: Very high biddability. He loves to work and is willing to work even without rewards present. He has been very successful in training due to his willingness to work with me.

Vocality (low/medium/high):

One Year: Low-medium. A lot of the reason for this has come from training/teaching when is and isn’t appropriate to bark. He will have feelings and bark a few times at things, but is typically able to be reeled back in quickly. Vocality has increased with age, but is still very manageable.

Three Years: Medium vocality. He is much more vocal at home than in public spaces. He barks with reason and not senselessly. He barks like a crazy man at squirrels more than anything. He also is quite vocal playing with my other dog and likes to tell her how he feels. He is usually easy to reel back in when he gets on a barking kick. I do attribute the level of his noise to lots of early foundation work because I feel it could have easily gotten out of control.

Prey drive (low/medium/high):

One Year: Prey drive would probably be medium. There is a high drive to chase but he is almost always easily redirected by recall to stop. He is calm with my chickens but has been taught since a puppy to not chase them. Squirrels on the other hand must always be chased.

Three Years: Prey drive is fairly high. Most of what he wants to do is chase prey. He recalls very well off things he is after. Squirrels are once again the biggest culprit but sometimes he will run birds off and the occasional possum or chipmunk.

He is species appropriate and does not tend to chase my chickens for example. He has also done well with smaller dogs/puppies.

Human social (reactive, aloof, neutral, social):

One Year: He is extremely people savvy and has never met a stranger. He would happily introduce himself to every human if allowed. He does not express frustration when he can’t meet people and is able to work and focus with strangers around him.

Three Years: Social butterfly who has never met a stranger. His life's goal is to give everyone a kiss on the cheek. He wants to say hi to anyone who will glance his way but is good at maintaining mostly neutral standing until released to greet.

Dog social: (reactive, aloof, neutral, social):

One Year: I would say he leans more towards social, but is a mix between social and neutral. He would be more than happy to meet other dogs, but also has the attitude that he doesn’t need to meet every dog he passes. He expresses no frustration passing other dogs or being directed away from other dogs.

He has not interacted with many dogs outside of the home, but the ones he has, he has always been polite and neutral with. He is able to take corrections and walk away without issue. He enjoys to play, but is also able to relax around dogs and do his own thing.

Three Years: As an overall I would say he is neutral. He does not get a ton of opportunity to mingle with other dogs. He does want to control/boss around puppies. He has been social to neutral with other adult dogs just depending on their persona. He takes corrections well and will try to remove himself from situations he does not care to be in. He can be awkward when playing with new dogs. He displays no signs of reactivity regarding other dogs acting out on leash, in a crate, or behind a fence

Environmental sensitivity - (scale of 1-10, 10 being very reactive/unable to redirect and 1 being sleeping and/or completely engaged and able to ignore the world):

One Year: I would say he ranks lower at around a 3. He is acutely aware of his surroundings and wants to observe what is going on, but is good at checking back in and not completely losing himself. He is great at engaging and disengaging, but does sometimes have to be reminded “Hey your handler is here”. He is able to settle with a little bit of time and engagement games, but cannot settle right off the rip.

Three Years: 3. He does not display reactivity or frustration on leash except towards reaching water. He does display the typical tendency of paying attention to his surroundings, but is usually easy to call back to attention.

Confidence level (scale of 1-10, 1 being afraid of the smallest change/shadow and 10 being completely unafraid in any scenario):

One Year: Without a doubt a 10. There has hardly been a time this dog has ever backed away from anything. When he has been spooked, he has recovered within seconds and been able to go back to what he was doing beforehand. I cannot recall any situation he has demonstrated having low confidence. He has a “own it” attitude.

Three Years: 10. He owns the ground he walks on. Any fair startles are immediately recovered with no changes in behavior. Even if he is suspicious of something, he is willing to approach and see what it is.

Velcro (scale 1-10, 1 being very independent and aloof and 10 being living in your skin at all times):

One Year: 10 - Would gladly live attached to me if he could. He has independence and will venture off and do his own thing, but never very far away. He almost always wants to be right next to me. He will camp out while I shower and camp out in front of the baby gate to my bedroom if I’m in there. He just simply chooses that he wants to be with me.

While being so Velcro, he exhibits 0 signs of separation stress or anxiety. He is able to settle peacefully. For example, at rally class when crated, he wants to join me while I am walking the course, but exhibits no signs of stress or upset. He is alert and watching me from the crate, but comfortable enough to sit quietly and wait.

Three Years: 9.5. Growing up has given him a bit healthier of a separation level. He will venture off to check the windows and will enjoy more backyard time than prior without me having to sit outside. He still would 10/10 move into my skin if I would let him. We affectionately call him my shadow because wherever I am at, he is right behind me.

Affectionate (scale 1-10, 1 being not ever seeking or giving affection/attention, 10 being the most affectionate dog ever):

One Year: Probably would say a 9. He actively will seek out attention and loves to both receive it and return the favor. He has no sense of personal space and loves to sit against or on me. I only say 9 because he is not overbearing or demanding about needing affection like I would rank a 10

Three Years: 9, he is not overbearing but actively will seek attention from me mostly. He loves to visit everyone and get a quick pet, but most of his affection is devoted to me.

Problem solving skills/independent thinking: (scale 1-10, 1 being needs help with everything/can’t generalize, 10 being puzzle master):

One Year: I would have to say a 9 for problem solving. There are times where he has become frustrated and doesn’t take a minute to try and use his head and will just yell, but it is more of a rare occurrence. He enjoys puzzle toys a lot and is learning more and more how to work them. With life instances he is more than willing to think independently and piece things together. He has 0 issue figuring out situations he puts himself in.

Three Years: 9. Very apt and willing to try and figure things out on his own. On occasion may need a little extra encouragement, but he is pretty much always willing to figure things out himself. Some days are more of a wrecking ball approach and other days are more thoughtful, though generally he doesn’t need too much extra help from me.

Off switch?

One Year: Typically he has a fantastic off switch. He is great at self occupying by finding chews/toys to entertain himself. He is a busy body, so many times his “off” is finding a chew on his own and bringing it somewhere to lie down. He is still able to settle and relax if needed.

Three Years: Amazing off switch. He is great at self-occupying with toys/chews and will happily rest by my side when I am doing chores or playing games. The same is true at trials that he is able to settle in his crate and wait around for his turn. He is able to leap into action quickly when needed, and settle in a reasonable time.

Favorite activities:

One Year: Corvus’ favorite activities are training, playing fetch+tug, hiking+walks, and fastCAT. Just about anything that involves me is his favorite activity at the end of the day.

Three Years: Swimming, retrieving, tugging, training, fetching. Mostly whatever involves spending time with me, he is happy to enjoy.

Personality quirks?

One Year: Having to chew bones on or into my arm/leg. Being very adamant he is in charge of what time the chickens get locked up for bed. Thinking he needs to be a part of shower time by half walking in and starring at me

Three Years: loves to hold toys in odd ways via the legs or tags for example. Opens the blinds in the morning when he wakes up. Fairly schedule oriented.

Pros?

One Year: He is so happy and loving. He is a literal ray of sunshine as promised. He knows no bad days, only happiness. He is totally goofy and such a character. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does. He is very easy to live with and has been a spectacular puppy to raise thus far. He came with incredible foundation work that has helped me continue to making him shine. He is very drive-y and fun to work with, all while having a fantastic off switch.

Three Years: Amazing off switch, super sweet and loving personality. Amazing trainability and drive to work as a team with me. He is truly just an all around great dog.

Cons?

One Year: Are there any true cons? He’s an adolescent right now? That’s about it. There are some desensitization things to work on and growing up things to work on, but he is fantastic all around. The main con right now is he loves to jump up on people and try to kiss them. (we are working on it)

Three Years: self preservation is not his strongest suit. Sometimes will get on barking tangents at things and takes a minute to settle back down.

Any additional comments?

One Year: He is just perfect so far at nearly a year old. I expect he will continue to mature into a super fun dog. Kayla and Adam prepared these puppies to take on the world, and that’s exactly what he is doing. He owns it. He draws so much positive attention at our training club and is making a wonderful example and ambassador of his breed.

He could not have been more perfectly matched to me. I adore him and cannot wait to see what’s to come in his future.

Three Years: Corvus is a wonderful, well-rounded dog. He has overall been an extremely easy dog to raise and live with. He is fairly patient, willing to learn and try anything, and quite forgiving. He has been a wonderful representation of the breed and has drawn lots of positive attention. Maturity continues to do him so much justice and I cannot wait to see how he keeps growing. He is absolutely perfect to me and everything and more than I could have ever wished for in a dog.