A few nights ago Spencer got to meet several neighbors in the neighborhood. It just happened we were walking him with my Jewels and there was a guy standing outside smoking a cigarette. Spence went right up to him and was very friendly. He had his muzzle on as we are trying to integrate him more with our dog family. He did bark at Jewels when they got close but my girl is a very submissive girl and she just backed away heeding his space warning. Our plan is to keep walking them together to get him used to her and hopefully he will accept her and then others.

The following day we took Spence out with a muzzle and my Jewels but this time to the park. I was so pleasantly pleased as he walked next to her, behind her, bumped into her and at one point looked like he gave her a little kiss. I was so proud of him. Gave me hope of him being integrated with another dog if someone is willing to go slow. There was absolutely no sign of aggression and seemed to be some acceptance.

Other neighbors came out and we had a sidewalk party hahahahaha. Spence did very well with the group of people. I told them all to not try and pet him but to let him come up to them. He allowed for pets and only showed some fear with one lady and she gave him room. My Jewels was in heaven. She loves people and is friendly with everyone!! First time I met so many neighbors at once and I think it was really good for Spencer. He did so good and no treats were involved.

A few days ago Spencer had another milestone. For days he has been trying to engage my 6 year old grandson in play but I told Liam no only because of Spencer’s toy possessiveness. He has been coming up to my grandson and sniffing him and has allowed pets for a couple of weeks now. While Liam and I were sitting there talking Spencer went up to Liam and dropped his ball, sat down and waited for Liam to pick it up and throw. I told my grandson he could try and to move slowly to the ball but if Spence moved, he could not pick the ball up. Spence just sat there patiently waiting. Liam threw the ball and Spence brought it back to him. Liam told him to drop it (took three times) and he dropped the ball. Liam told him to sit and stay, picked up the ball and threw it again. It was so amazing to watch them together. People! Spence listened and obeyed a 6 year old!!!!!

Spence’s 2nd greet went pretty much like a stressed out dog’s meet and greet. Spence hates the shelter and immediately started pacing once inside the yard kennel. We are rethinking dog to dogs and planning to do the next one across from the shelter in the field. I had to keep Spencer from being outside when my neighbor’s dog is outside. He used to just ignore him but last week started running the fence with the neighbor dog. He stays on a very long yard leash that doesn’t allow him to go to fence. Spencer just got tired of that dog goading him. So now I have a text relationship with my neighbor to keep them separated. I already have to keep my girls away from him as well and he and Jewels would run the fence but he would stand up on fence and Jewels would meet him and he punctured her neck twice. Fortunately my neighbor is willing to work with me.

Yesterday I discovered that Spencer likes bubbles. I had crappy bubbles so gonna buy some new ones for the next bubble play time. I sure love this little boy!!!

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. He’s not mean to them but he likes tug of war and doesn’t like to give his toy up. 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 amazing video at https://kcpetproject.org/animal-details/?aid=44882776&cid=11&tid=Dog#.Xz1oGWyS

On Sunday, I got to take my sweet foster baby to the shelter for his first meet and greet with a potential adopter. I was so proud of Spencer. He didn’t shy away one time and kept coming right up to the PA (potential adopter). Because Spence is a shy boy and didn’t always like to be touched in the shelter, our training staff person just had him play a game of treat/retreat with him. Treat/retreat is a game that allows the dog establish trust in people and teaches a better way of handling his or her conflicts and fear. While playing this game he or she chooses how far or how close to approach. Everybody wins in this game. I think Spencer ate the whole bag of treats thoguh. He’s such a foodie!!

What I observed was him choosing to come right up to his PA which is a beautiful thing. He didn’t seem to carry any fear with him and was eager to interact. I knew he would welcome the interaction when he brought his toy over to him and tried to drop it in his lap. Spence didn’t use to like to give up his toys but he has been learning that when he drops his toys, his human will throw it and he gets to play chase. Watching him trying to engage the PA made my heart so happy.

I think Spencer would have accepted pets. In my home he has encountered my husband, 3 adult sons, my son-in-law, my daughter, my two daughter-in-laws and my two grandchildren (limited contact with the kids). He seems to warm up very quickly to attention now. He greets everyone at the door and sniffs their hands. Once when my grandson came out of the office to ask me a question for his online schooling, Spence went right up to him and sniffed his hand. My grandson wanted to pet him so bad. He said, “Grandma, he wants me to pet him.” I have permission now to allow contact and Liam got to pet Spencer for the first time yesterday. Spence was so good. He just stood there and allowed the contact.

The other day the mailman came up to the porch and Spence did not like it one bit. I thought oh gee another mailman hater. My boxer pit wants to eat the mailman. I think he was just protecting his home. It was the first time he jumped on my couch.

Spenser has his next meet and greet in my home on Sunday. So excited to see how that goes but I think it will be great. After that it will be back up at the shelter for a dog to dog meet and greet with the PA’s roommate. So hoping Spence will like her. He came to the shelter with a female dog so I’m hoping he accepts her.

I love watching Spencer play on his back with his toys. It makes me feel like he is a very happy boy.

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. He’s not mean to them but he likes tug of war and doesn’t like to give his toy up. 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 amazing video at https://kcpetproject.org/animal-details/?aid=44882776&cid=11&tid=Dog#.Xz1oGWyS

My sweet little foster boy is really adjusting to the non sheltered life. The last four days Spence has been able to come upstairs (or when I hang out in the basement with him) to relax. He is no longer trying to play 24/7 tug of war. He is realizing it’s ok to just lay down on the floor and go to sleep, chew on a bone, or chew on his toy. He isn’t trying to forever engage me anymore. He’s learning that life isn’t all about the tug.

He does however spend a lot of time with his upper body in my lap. He’s becoming quite the mommy’s boy. He is so loyal to the people he loves. He tries to jump in foster daddy’s lap but because he can’t just lay down without giving kisses and wanting to play, daddy says no. But he gives him tons of love and pets on the floor hahahaha.

When we play ball, I will tell him I’m not throwing it until you drop it. He has gotten so good at dropping it now and allowing me to pick it up without grabbing it back. He does from time to time regress to the old way but I will firmly tell him to leave it and the ball becomes mine. Yesterday he finally got the concept of “down”. Oh my gosh I was so proud of him. Down is a very important command for him because he will get the zoomies and I have to say down and sometime put him in that submissive side position for him to settle. He’s still a puppy in so many ways but he is learning. You just have to be patient and firm with him.

Learning “Down”

The closer he gets to me the more he doesn’t like when I leave him downstairs or in his crate. He will bark a few time but usually stop. Sometimes I will speak to him from the camera and last night and the day before, he laid down on command. He’s a perfect boy after that and will stay asleep until I come get him in the morning.

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. He’s not mean to them but he likes tug of war and doesn’t like to give his toy up. 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 amazing video at https://kcpetproject.org/animal-details/?aid=44882776&cid=11&tid=Dog#.Xz1oGWyS