Day two and three started at 8:00am with potty/poop time and then breakfast. When I walk into his bachelor’s pad, he is always in his kennel in a state of relaxation and smiles when he sees me. That boy sure loves to eat!! I have treats and toys up on the shelf and when he wants a treat he will sit and stare up at the box. He’s so smart. He knows exactly how to work me.
We’ve continued to work on sit, stay, ready, go get and ut uh. He is doing so good at it. There are times I have to tell him sit a couple of times but for the most part, he’s quick to obey. He gets better every day at dropping his ball at my feet and letting me pick it up now. Yesterday He didn’t jump at it when I reached to grab the ball. I try to play ball with him every day and give him water play. He sure loves the sprinkler. I had to cut that time a little shorter as he pulled the sprinkler up out of the ground. Stinker!!!
Spencer loves toys but he will eventually destroy them. It takes him a whole day but he’s pretty determined. He will climb up into my lap to try and engage me in some tug but I avoid that for right now. I am trying to teach him to let me have the toy and to touch it. He will let me touch it now but still wants to play tug. A couple of times yesterday he dropped it at my side which is progress. He also pretty much entertains himself when I won’t tug with him and when he’s by himself. I have a camera in the pad and keep and eye on him.
Every day Spence is becoming more and more affectionate not only with me but my family as well. He warms up quickly especially if they give him treats. He climb right up on the couch and let my son(adult) pet him. Made my heart so happy to see him accepting some love. He likes my hubby too but will still shy away if he reaches out to pet him so he is letting Spence come to him on his own time. He does wag his tail though when he speaks to him. Once he comes to them on his own though, my family is able to give him some love. When my daughter-in-laws comes through the door he goes right up to her to sniff but he doesn’t bark or act fearful. She doesn’t engage him as she is not really a big dog person. Lol. I think he has barked one time since he’s been here and that was in the bachelor pad when he heard something outside. Oh and the boy loves to shower me with kisses!! When outside filling and hanging hummingbird feeders, he came right up to my husband for some pets and my husband walked him around the backyard. It was really cute.
He seems to enjoy is outside time. I have him on a 25 ft yard leash because the boy can jump pretty high. He’s become my little shadow and although I don’t think he will jump the fence, because this is new to all of us, I don’t want to risk it. He will lay in the sun for a bit then explore or do his business, all the while though watching for me through the window. He would rather be with me but he’s so good. He doesn’t bark, whine or cry just waits patiently for mommy and son time. My dogs watch him through the window and there has been no reactivity on either side. When my neighbor lets his dogs out, Spence will head in that direction but the leash doesn’t allow him to get to the fence. He does not bark at them and pretty much ignores them when he realizes he can’t get close. My boxer mix is really interested in him and would probably want to play with him and he seems ok with her from the other side of the window.
When he wanders into the kitchen all I have to do is call him and he comes running. So far he hasn’t tried to get into anything but the toy box. He does enjoy exploring though. Spencer is an amazing dog and I just can’t hardly wait to see who he picks as his forever parent. I’m so glad he is allowing me to be his temporary mommy.
Spencer is 2 years old and has been at the Shelter since June 2020. He came in as a stray. He needs to have multiple meet and greets with potential adopters, in a home with no children and if adopters have other dogs there must be a meet and greet between dogs. He is well worth the investment. You can read more of his details and see his aazing video at https://kcpetproject.org/animal-details/?aid=44882776&cid=11&tid=Dog#.Xz1oGWyS
Saving Spencer 