"I'm a real boy!" That is was Pinocchio shouted to Gepetto at the end of the movie. I feel like if Dexter could speak he would look at me and say, "I'm a real dog!" Yes, Dexter you certainly are.

He has come so far since arriving in my home. He now goes outside all on his own with the other dogs. He is often times the last one to come in, because he is having so much fun. Loud noises are starting to bother him less and less. The other day I was using the hair dryer and he did not run, but came close to me to see what I was doing. He inspected the noise and was OK with it.

He is getting used to the routine of the household. He especially enjoys his nighttime walks with the pack. He gets very excited when we start out—he is still, after all, a puppy at 8 months. He barks and jumps and wiggles with excitement. After a few houses he calms down and walks like a good boy.

After the walk we come home, play, settle in on the couch for a bit, then do our nightly routine. That consists of one last potty outside, a treat, and then everybody "upstairs." He is picking up on commonly repeated phrases quickly: sit, off, good boy, etc.

He wonders where his forever family is. Are you out there? Is it you?

Dexter recently transferred fosters, as he came more out of his shell at his old fosters, he became a bit more vocal. As the previous foster worked from home, he was transferred to a new foster home. He initially was very shy and reserved with the new environment, but as the week progresses he is slowly coming out of his shell. This week...

“Hey everyone, Dexter here! And let me tell you I am having so much fun at my foster home. They have three other dogs that I have met. I kept hearing my Foster Mom talk about proper introductions with the person who so kindly transported me here. I heard and saw three other dogs waiting to say hi to me when I arrived, but they only let me meet them one at a time. I guess the proper introductions went well, because now Foster Mom lets me interact with all of the dogs at once!!

I got here on Monday the 2nd, had a bit of a hard time sleeping Monday night, had fun on Tuesday, had something called a neuter on Wednesday, and now I am back to hanging with Foster Mom. She keeps me by her side at all time, even when outside. She keeps telling me it is so I heal nicely. Ok, that’s fine. I like my human. Well, I think I am going to go curl up in the sunshine and take a nap. I would love to meet you!”

Thanks Dexter. As you can read, he is having a good time here. We are still working on crate training. He does not like to go in so willingly, but if you give him a nudge he goes in. He is becoming more accustomed to it and barking less in it. He eats his breakfast and dinner in it, to help with the positive association of the kennel.

Dexter still enjoys human attention and at times can be a “Velcro dog,” meaning where you go, he goes. He is slowly starting to emerge from that, and will go seek out toys and bones to chew on by himself. He still is a little skittish if the other dogs make a sudden movement or loud noise by him, but it is slowly getting better.

He recently went outside without his Foster Mom this morning to do his business. He does have a fenced yard, but is also currently on a tie out lead as well for his safety. When he is off the tie out in the backyard he loves to explore the smells, eat the snow, and chase after the other dogs. 

As mentioned below, he will need another confident dog in the home to help show him the ropes. He is still a puppy, 8 months old, and acts like it at times. He mouths when he wants attention, and will grab inappropriate items to chew on, all of which is redirected very easily. He will need someone to take him to training to help him achieve his best self.  Is that someone you?