Feelin' Groovy: August 2011

Hendrix.

Hendrix is a handsome 2-3 year old boy who came to rescue as a HW+ stray. He tends to rely heavily on his puppy antics, but I believe that will mellow over time and with consistant training, leadership, and the stability of a forever home.

He is a cuddly dog and loves to show affection. He knows how to relax in the house and is up for serious cuddling once he has been exercised properly. He loves to carry toys around and cuddle with them, too. He will stand by your side for hours with a toy in his mouth and does need the random "Hey Hen, it's ok to go lie down!"

Hendrix's ideal owners will be looking for an active, high energy dog and are either committed or excel at providing boundaries with calm and assertive energy. Hen is a very strong dog physically, as well as somewhat excitable. Hen needs to know that his owners have control over situations and that they will handle them. Hen thrives on consistency and patience. If you are a family considering Hendrix, please know that he is exuberant and so older children would be a better fit for his energy, size, and movements at present.

Hendrix is keen on treats, and is very responsive to someone that is willing to connect with him on an energetic level, and to someone who will use calm energy to communicate and work with him.

Hen needs to be engaged in mind and body. Being active with his person/people are paramount to him and he views it as lifes greatest pleasure. He would be beyond thrilled to join you on a hike, hunt, or swim everyday of the week.

Hendrix knows basic commands like sit, down, stay, wait, and leave it-- but will take the opportunity to make up his own rules and to test you! He is getting better on leash, but still pulls and loves to eat trash off the ground. Being an exuberant boy, and rather large, he doesn't know his own strength sometimes, so I have been using a pinch collar on him. He does well with it, and it does make a noticeable difference when walking him from the human perspective. A strong/or very present handler is best as he does get distracted and is strong! He is in need of an owner that is very attentive and committed to his training needs while he's still "growing up" and learning.

Hen is housetrained and will go to the bells on the door or stare at you if he needs to go out. He is dog door savvy, as well as crate trained (though he will let out a whine or low moan when displeased at being in his crate) He does still show interest in whats going on in the kitchen and the counter, so his kitchen and trash etiquette could be improved. He is a bit whiny at feeding time, and needs to be fed in his crate if other dogs are going to be around. While he does not guard food or treats or anything from people, he does get grumbly around other dogs when he's overly stimulated or worried-- especially when it comes to his dinner, treats, bumpers, and frisbees.

Hendrix has an EXTREMELY high prey drive when it comes to cats, small fluffy dogs, squirrels, birds, and anything critterish. He currently lives in a house of Weims (three bossy females, and one older male that randomly visits) and gets along well with everyone, though does tend to play very rough. His new family should understand that Hen needs constant socialization with larger dogs so that he can relax and does not feel the need to be in charge. He needs the occasional firm reminder that it's fine to just relax and be a dog.

If you plan to let Hendrix out in your yard, he NEEDS a fenced in yard with Hen proof gate locks and supervision. If left alone, you may not have a yard left, or he'll be exploring the neighborhood!

Sunday, August 21, 2011