Malcolm

---

Updated 8/29/07: Malcolm has moved to a new foster home where he is living with 4 resident dogs. His new best buddy is the resident female. She and Malcolm hit it off immediately and, when outside, can be found wrestling or playing tag non-stop. Even when Malcolm wants a break, she just charges him until he engages again. They really are very cute.

Just as Malcolm reacted upon arrival in his first foster home, the first few days were a struggle for him when it was time to go in his crate. He would whine and bark to be let out, settling in about 15 minutes. On Day 3 he walked in on his own with a squeaky toy and seemed to recognize that was his crate and a good place to take a nap. He will not stay there if the door is left open, preferring a nice comfy dog bed. He will still bark when left but settles more quickly now that he’s acclimated to the new routine.

Malcolm does well with meeting new dogs in an off leash area and playing with them. He does fine through the fence as well and while in his crate. He has taken correction from the resident dogs both indoors and out. He has been told off by one of the resident males and one “knock it off” from his foster mom had them both back in line quickly. He does, however, need to be an only dog in his adopting home as he prefers to keep all the toys and goodies to himself.

With people Malcolm bonds quickly and would like all their attention to himself too. However, he’s not overly pushy and enjoys taking his toys or bones to a quiet corner to play on his own. In the yard he runs off to play on his own, chases squirrels, plays with toys or the other dogs and occasionally comes back to his foster mom to check-in and is then off again.

Malcolm would enjoy going for brisk walks and a place to run off leash. He needs some basic obedience that has started in his foster home. For instance, sometimes his excitement can get the best of him and he might jump on people. Also, he knows “sit” but he often has to be lured into it. He does certainly respond with a “sit” for food and treats.

Malcolm is an incredibly handsome dog. He has a beautiful, shiny coat that will need light to moderate grooming as his feathering is the texture of a silky, wispy field bred. He is looking for a mature family to call his own and will repay kindness with years of entertainment and devotion.

Original: Malcolm was found as a stray and was taken to a shelter in Reading, PA. After a month there, the shelter staff contacted MAESSR for help. When introduced to new people, the volunteer that pulled Malcolm from the shelter called him, “Wiggle Butt.” How true! He enjoys receiving belly and chin rubs and can easily lie on his back for over an hour while receiving this special treatment. If a foster family member’s hands are busy at the computer, Malcolm is equally happy lying at his or her feet, sound asleep.

Malcolm is housetrained and crate trained and he is content to stay in his crate with his filled Kong when his foster family is out of the house. He’s learning his new name and he knows the commands “sit,” “lie down,” and “shake.” While going for walks, this boy pulls on the leash, but his foster family is working to correct that action. Malcolm also does extremely well in the car, sitting like a true gentleman in the back seat. His house manners are wonderful. He has not begged for food, nor has he attempted to counter surf. He will try to jump up on the sofa every so often, but quickly gets down when told to. He sleeps on the dog bed in his foster parents’ bedroom and when his foster mom wakes in the morning, he’s lying on the floor right next to her, curled up in a tiny ball. Malcolm allows his foster parents to look inside his mouth, comb him and touch the insides of his ears.

This boy gets along with the resident Brittany and ESS who are both four years old as well. He is reported to have been good with cats at the shelter, although his foster family has no cats to verify this. There is a ten-year-old daughter in his foster family to whom he generally responds well, as well as two nieces, ages ten and fourteen. However, Malcolm is a bit object possessive. When he has a bone or a toy laying on the afghan that has been put down for him, he will grumble at the resident dogs and the ten-year-old daughter when they walk by him. However, Malcolm does not grumble when his foster mom or dad walk by him when he has any of these objects. They are able to take the toy or bone away from him without his complaining; they have had no problems taking food from him when he is eating, either. His foster parents are working with him on this grumbling behavior and have limited his treats to only when he is in his crate. When he doesn’t have a bone or toy, Malcolm is really content lying next to one of the resident dogs or one of his family members.

This fellow’s really been through a lot and needs a home to call his own. Will yours be his forever home?