14/02/2024
Junior is a foster available for adoption through Dane County Humane Society and is in foster care with 2 dogs and a cat. He has typical 11mo old energy and is very easily redirected, easy to train, eager to learn, and GREAT with reading other dogs' cues. (See original post comments for videos)
Dogs his size and with some energy to play - he is great with running, playing, walking with, and sharing toys, treats, and even bones. Absolutely no resource guarding.
Dogs smaller than him, elderly, or cat - he doesn't understand that they don't want to play. He isn't aggressive with them, but he will keep booping them, play bowing, and might even step on them by accident while trying to entice them to play. He is already learning "leave it" and having a fun time with that. He would do fine in a home with these animals ONLY IF the owner can keep them separate for periods of time or continue to work on "leave it" and redirects. Otherwise, we would probably stress them out if they didn't have a place to retreat to and get a break from him. I have a 3.5lb dog and cat here for reference.
He walks great on leash - we passed cars, dogs, buses, and bikes. He zig-zags on walks, frequently checking his surroundings, but no darting, pancaking, or any major issues. He smells the ground most of the time and enjoys following a confident dog to see where the best smells are. Absolutely no reactivity on leash and has even pooped and peed on walks.
He trail ran amazingly well, he would make a great adventure/camping/running partner
He is silent in his crate overnight and has no accidents at all. He pees and poops first thing in the morning when let out. He whines for about 10mins and eventually settles down with a licki-mat, kong, or marrow bone.
He is SUPER cuddly, a leaner, and thinks he is a lap dog. We have had 2 bonfires with him and he enjoys curling up on a bumper bed (after carrying it around proudly through the yard) next to the fire. If you wanted a 55lb lap dog, he loves to be held and cozy up next to the fire.
He LOVES playing chase with other dogs, fetching stuffed toys and rope toys, or racing another dog to steal their ball while playing fetch. He can get pretty excited if you have a toy in your hand and inappropriately jump (up to 4-5ft all four paws off the ground) and nip for the toy. I would NOT recommend having a kid play fetch with him at this time for this reason, until he can continue to work on "sit" or "all paws on the floor". I do not throw the toy for him until he has all 4 paws on the ground and he is starting to pick it up quickly and will get there, but he is not kid-friendly with the level of training that he currently has and his age - he would absolutely be great in a bit though. He has ZERO resource guarding.
He rides very well in the car. If you don't safely strap him in, he doesn't understand that riding in the driver's lap is unsafe, but once I buckled his leash in, he laid down and slept on the seat.
Favorite enrichment: chewing bones and sticks (loves 'helping' you make a fire), squeaking and shredding toys/ropes, nose-work enrichment toys or simply scattering kibble on the group, human affection is just as exciting as treats most of the time
Shy/nervous: meeting new people with his weight in his back paws, but not barking, whale-eyeing, or keeping distance. Will sniff them and accept treats from strangers. Doorways to go inside (not going outside) are scary, but can be coaxed with treats or having a confident dog go before him
I would definitely recommend another dog in the home or doggy day care or a neighbor dog to play with for him. He absolutely loves playing.
