Hey, Brody 16-001 here! I had to wait a bit to send my latest update because in the mean time I went on an adventure. While my regular fosters were busy I went up to northern MN for a few days of R&R. While I missed my peeps and was a little nervous at first, it ended up being a pretty fun time.
I stayed with a temporary Foster Mom (TFM) and the resident girl dog. I liked them both just fine. I still felt the need to growl at first meeting the new people along the way on my trip and those that I met while up north - just to let them know that I like to have a little space and like to pick my friends myself. After a minute however, I will do my best to smother you with friendliness.
My TFM told me that I should review with you the things that we learned together while I was with her. Here are the highlights.
- I am extremely handsome and sweet, if I do say so myself. I've included some pics TFM took in this update so you can see for yourselves that I have a great smile and a nice athletic build.
- I know to do my business outside. Even when my anxiety about being in a new place gave me a little "dire rear", I still asked to go out and made it out every time.
- I am good in my crate. As a matter of fact TFM says that I am the first foster she has had that didn't bend, break, move or otherwise abuse a crate; nor did the neighbors leave notes about screaming coming from the house (evidently that last one actually happened in the past). I won't put myself in the crate for a break, but if you see I am getting tired or wound up and put me in the crate I will chill out and probably even doze off for a bit. I ride great in the car in a crate too.
- I slept through the night (other than those emergency trips outside) nicely on a dog bed next to the human bed. I would rather sleep on the human bed, but the resident dog got that privilege, so I made do nicely with a dog bed and some extra space next to the bed surrounded with a pen. I do not get on furniture.
- I ate in my crate and did fine with that. Once the resident was finished her meal I was allowed to check out her bowl, and she checked out mine (neither one of us left anything for the other though...). Foster sis and I could both take treats from TFM, but we had to be sitting on opposite sides of her or I wanted to lean over and grab both treats. I am a little pushy like that, so if you have another dog that defends their things it could be a bit problematic.
- I remembered how to play the retrieve game! I had to have an extra sturdy toy (we used a black Kong), and I had to carry it around and roll on it and such first, but once we got into a rhythm I would gladly chase it over and over again. TFM said my record was 16 straight retrieves - all before breakfast. I am still working on giving up the toy without tugging, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. The good thing is that after a good retrieve session in the yard I was happy to come inside and chill out a bit while TFM did work.
- I remembered the rules from my regular foster home about waiting for permission before eating, leaving my crate, or going through a door. That last one was tough, but I mostly did it.
- TFM supervised me in the yard all the time, and while I checked out the gates and made sure the chain link was secure, I didn't make any major effort to push through, dig under or jump over the five-foot fence. I did not need to be leashed in the yard as I readily came when called.
There are a couple of things TFM agreed that I still need to work on.
- I do not get the whole walking in a leash thing yet. I really need someone to teach me more about that. This is important because I really want to be a "go along" dog that goes everywhere with you.
- I am still young enough to be a bit clumsy. The front half and back half of my body don't always know what the other half is doing. And since I forget I am a size XL, this can be a bit of a problem. For this reason I may not be great in a house with young children or other residents that could easily get knocked down. And I wouldn't put a lot of valuables on the coffee table if I were you!
- I chew. I chew when I am bored, when I am nervous, or just because I feel like chewing. At my TFM's house I only ever chewed on dog toys, no human things. But I do destroy stuffed toys (gotta kill the squeakers) and shred rope toys. Fortunately most of the time I just tear off pieces and leave them around; I don't eat them. I did enjoy appropriately chewing on marrow bones and the black Kong sometimes, too. TFM says that I probably shouldn't have rawhide type toys as I may swallow them whole. I did OK with a nice hard dental chew at TFM's, although it didn't last long. Because of this chewing thing I need to be crated when you are not home.
- OK, it is my belief that I need everything - all of the toys around, all of the petting, and all of the attention. I will take things away from other dogs and push my way into your personal space to get you to pet or play with me. I love tug and will play with another dog or a person any time, but I like to win. As far as I am concerned, sharing means I should sit on your lap and share your space with you! TFM says that I act a lot like an insecure puppy, and need some help to grow up to be a secure and appropriately confident adult who can relax and enjoy just hanging out with his very own family. I was much of the way to that point after just a few days at my "vacation home", so I know I could master it with the guidance of a permanent person or persons of my own.
These are the basics. If you are thinking about being my forever family please contact your placement person right away. I love interacting with my family so much that I would like to get to know you as soon as possible! I have the kind of sweet goofiness that grows on you. Just one of my special grins and I guarantee that you will smile and want to give me a big hug, and I will be happy to take that hug and return the favor.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Brody