Entered: 07/05/2017
Status: Adopted
Age: 14 months
Color: Liver/White/Tan
Weight: 41 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location:Aston, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, appears to like children but might knock over younger ones due to youthful exuberance, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Sammy tends to grin for most every occasion.”
Samuel was acquired by an older couple from a person in the Pennsylvania Amish community. Reportedly this was not a puppy mill and the individual had just one female dog in addition to the pup. As Samuel got older and bolder and bigger, with his fondness for jumping up and their lack of a fenced yard where he could get more exercise, his owners decided that Sammy would be better off coming to MAESSR to find a more suitable home. Despite their sadness at giving him up, they felt he’d be better off in the end.
Samuel showed up at his new foster home with decent house manners, which included being completely housetrained. It’s not known if he has a signal when he needs to go out but, since he’s not even thought about having an accident inside, it’s assumed that he’s fine between 9:30 at night and 7:30 in the morning. He takes a trip out into the fenced yard every three or four hours during waking hours. Sammy wants to greet everyone by jumping up but is gradually learning that “sit and look cute” is the desired greeting. Along with “sit,” Sammy responds to “down.” Since he’s such a smart little guy, he could probably learn many beneficial commands with obedience training.
Although not crate trained, he’s been inside one a couple of times when his foster folks were using their indoor bicycles and didn’t want to chance him getting his nose or nice full tail caught in a spinning wheel. Since he sleeps quietly at the base of the stairs on a blanket at night, he doesn’t need a crate at bedtime. While the foster folks are away, he’s just closed off from the kitchen. Although he’s not very tall, this curious guy will put a foot up on the counter to explore smells but is learning that “OFF” means four feet on the ground. He seems to ignore the trash can.
Sammy is fine with other dogs and immediately started playing with the resident hound outside in the yard. He’s reasonably sedate indoors but likes chasing or being chased by the resident hound while out in the yard and then hopping into the baby pool to splash and cool off. Apparently Sammy loves the water as evidenced by a trip to a local state park where he waded and splashed in the creek. He ducked his head under to scoop water and explore, grinning happily at the experience.
When walking, Sammy pulls on leash a bit but a Gentle Leader helps a lot. He’s fairly good riding in the car. This good boy has no food or toy aggression and doesn’t mind being groomed or having his ears checked.
Although not given table scraps or human food at his original home, Sammy is quickly learning the art of begging near the table even if nothing comes of it. He sits calmly and watches and then gives up to flop at the humans’ feet. He’s usually quiet but will bark if a car arrives or if the resident gal is barking at varmints. His favorite toy seems to be a fox devoid of stuffing that he can toss and make the humans play “chase me” when he’s got it outside. To get it back, one simply steps back inside and he drops it outside the door, grinning for his human to come and get it. Sammy tends to grin for most every occasion.
For a youngster little Samuel isn’t at all hyper, settles easily inside, and is as active as you want him to be outside. He would probably do best without small youngsters to knock over in greeting. He would benefit from someone to teach him more manners so he’d be an even better companion when seeking out all the adventures he’d love to have. Another young dog as a friend might be good too, but not utterly necessary. While he sleeps near and plays with the resident pup, it’s the humans that matter to him. What a bright future awaits happy Samuel and his new family!