Entered: 12/31/2016
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 47 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Aston, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for Lyme disease complete
Temperament: Good with people as young as 5, good with other dogs, will chase cats
Original: “This youngster knows ‘sit,’ but requests for ‘give paw’ result in the down and roll position—who knows what doggie language he’s hearing?!!” Snowflake came into a West Virginia shelter as a stray. After holding him a week and having him neutered, the shelter folks, who just adored him, requested MAESSR’s help. In his first foster home, Snowflake thought the resident cat was something to chase, and he was moved to a home without cats. Despite showing up there midweek and at 10 p.m., he instantly settled in. After sniffing and being ignored by the resident senior males, he realized that the female hound was going to be his adventure pal.
First night in his new foster home, Snowflake slept quietly from 10 p.m. until 7:30 a.m.in an open crate. One day of “I don’t have much of an appetite” gave way to “Point me at the food bowl.” He has no aggression at all about his food, but is tethered at meal times since, while he respects other dogs if they’re eating, he will snarf their food up if they walk away and aren’t attentive.
Snowflake has been completely housetrained since showing up in foster. He has not shown a signal to go out but waits to do his business until someone else requests an outing. Though he doesn’t love a crate, he has been crated long enough to show that he’s fine in one while the humans are away. He does like an open crate, visiting one of several each day to stretch out. At night and while the humans are away, he usually has free roam of three rooms, sleeping under the table at night.
He doesn’t get into the trash or put his feet on the counter or chew anything he shouldn’t. He would, however, love to hang out on the futon if allowed!
Snowflake loves his soft toys and will carry around and fetch them but doesn’t play tug of war with the resident female. In the mornings when the humans come downstairs, he’ll gently nip at the hound’s beard to try to get her to play but his main interest is in getting tummy rubs. If allowed, he’ll initially jump up for attention but just to get his person down to his level.
This youngster knows “sit,” but requests for “give paw’” result in the down and roll position—who knows what doggie language he’s hearing?!! Someone taught him manners at some point in his life because he doesn’t beg at the table but just flops on the floor nearby while the humans eat.
Low key indoors, he’s a decent jogging buddy and always up for a walk. Though affectionate, he’s not at all clingy, and he’s always quiet. His is a great combination of attitudes for a foster who works from home.
Snowflake is good in the car if he can see out, but becomes a bit excited at the vet. Temperature checking had him crying out that he was being ‘”kilt’’ but he had no aggressive reaction. He hasn’t been to the groomers but is front and center if anyone pulls out a dog brush. He shows no aggression any time at all.
This compact dog is decent on leash but will pull a bit when paired with the over-zealous sight hound. He’s met the neighbors and is fine with their small dog and really wants to go over and join in when their grandkids are swinging on the swing-set and having fun. Thus, Snowflake’s only known fault was discovered. He can clear a four foot fence easily and jumped his foster folk’s five foot post and rail with wire mesh fence once. But then, this love just stayed near the gate trying to figure out how to get back in. Since then he’s been supervised when outside. He loves his humans but since there’s a busy road nearby, all feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Though Snowflake seems to thrive in most situations, because of his fence jumping talents, his new home would either need to supervise him in a fenced yard, have an eight foot fence or leash walk him. Training not to jump is a possibility because when he initially arrived, he’d easily vault the puppy gates until he was told, “No, don’t do that’” a few times and then he seemed to understand that open gate equals come on in, but closed gate means don’t go into the other room. He does seem to prefer men but that’s a minor prejudice since he beams and wags away at any happy voice.
No two snowflakes are alike, and MAESSR’s handsome new guy is one of a kind. He’ll be really happy in a home that gives him love, tummy rubs, companionship, good walks, outdoor supervision, and some soft toys for company.