Merlin the Magnificent

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Merlin was found as a stray and taken to a shelter in New Jersey. Once he arrived at his MAESSR foster home, it became clear that he was previously someone’s pet. He is used to living indoors and loves to play with toys and get attention from people. His previous owners are probably responsible for the fact that Merlin is housetrained, crate-trained, and knows how to “sit” on command. Merlin is also pretty good on leash, so he may have some experience with that as well. 

This “magnificent” guy gets along great with the other dogs in his foster home. He walks away from the dogs that don’t want him in their face or bothering them, and plays beautifully with the 17 month old resident female Springer who loves to wrestle and play with anyone willing. The two can often be found wrestling in the backyard, playing tug, or discussing who should have the current toy of choice in their mouth. Merlin LOVES all squeaky toys and especially balls that squeak! When he has a toy he doesn’t want to give up, he’s fine if his foster mom tries to take it from him, but will occasionally grumble at a playmate. If it’s a tug toy, he is happy to engage in a game. Merlin does not guard food from people or dogs and his foster mom can easily take a bone or chew toy away from him. 

Merlin has learned the routine in his foster home and goes in his crate willingly when asked. He takes his treats and then settles down, staying there while his foster parents work. He also sleeps through the night in his crate without a peep, and rides in one when traveling in the car. Merlin is pretty strong, so a sturdy baby gate would be needed to keep him contained if a crate wasn’t going to be used in his forever home. 

During his first week in foster care, Merlin also learned to use the doggie door. He is still a little unsure about letting his people out of his sight, so he prefers company when he goes outside. He tends to run in and out of the doggie door in an attempt to get his foster mom to follow when he wants to go outside. If she accompanies him and tells him to “go potty,” he does so pretty quickly. 

Merlin is a bit excitable and is learning that jumping on people makes them go away and does not get him attention; sitting politely gets him what he wants. Merlin needs continued training to keep his four paws on the floor rather than popping up to check out whatever interests him, be that a table, a counter or a person. Since Merlin is pretty food motivated, he’s learning quickly. Merlin does think he should be allowed on the furniture, but he is learning that he should lie on a dog bed or blanket on the floor and generally chooses that over the couch. This might also have something to do with the two resident male dogs who don’t want him up there!

When he first came into rescue, Merlin’s beautiful ears were very matted. His foster mom immediately put him on the grooming table and he acted like it was old hat. He did not have any problems having his ears shaved inside (except when it tickled and he would wiggle!) or having the little mats cleaned out from between his toes. He was great for having his nails clipped, too. Although Merlin was squirmy, overall he was pretty easy. He is a definitely an experienced grooming client. Merlin was also fine for getting bathed. Although he didn’t particularly enjoy it, he took it all in stride. He did thoroughly enjoy getting toweled off afterwards!

It appears that Merlin has a case of “white coat syndrome.” While he did not have a problem meeting anyone sitting in the waiting room or working behind the desk at the vet’s office, he barked at the vet and the other people that worked there. His foster mom held Merlin for the vet to do his exam, blood draw and thorough ear flushing. He was fine with this, and did not try to snap, but it was clear he was not comfortable with the vet. It’s recommended that his new family make frequent trips to the vet upon adoption. This wouldn’t be for actual office visits, but just to get used to the vet and office staff and begin to make a positive association. If Merlin’s adopters leave a bag of yummy treats at the vet’s office, they can make several trips to the vet just to get a treat and leave. This will help desensitize him to being there.

The treating vet was happy to see how well Merlin’s foster mom could handle him. It made checking his teeth, ears, and eyes a breeze! What does that mean to his adoptive home? It means Merlin the Magnificent bonded quickly with his foster parents and will likely bond just as quickly with his adoptive parents. 

Merlin has a striking appearance and a fantastic personality. He is happy all the time. He would do best in a home that will give him regular exercise, but he clearly knows the difference between play time and downtime and is happy to chew on a bone or play with a toy while you watch TV. His resident five year old human sister thinks he’s a bit over the top, so a home with only visiting children at first while he continues his training, or resident kids over 12 years old who can handle his exuberance would be best.