January 28, 2010
Sky-Ber
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Sky-Ber, who is learning to answer to just Sky, is a lanky,
one-year-old teenage, grizzle and tan boy. He is neutered and
microchipped, all shots current. Sky started life in a Missouri
commercial breeding operation, and was about 10 months old when the
owner left 13 older puppies of various breeds with a retired vet. From
there, they went to a local lady who does some rescue. The lady placed
Sky in a really terrfic home several states away, but once his adoptive
mom got him home, her older dog announced that no new dogs were allowed.
The original rescue lady was travelling outside the US, so for his
safety, Sky came to us. (We'd been talking with the lady already.)
This is a busy youngster who loves to play with toys, and like most
adolescent Border Terriers, to chew on them.... and lots of other
things, some of them "legal". He is comfortable with his foster mom's
three dogs, and encourages them to play with him. Sky, however, does
not accept any bullying from the older female in his foster home. He is
crate-trained, and a good little traveler. Endless curiosity, and some
general silliness, add spice to his growing personality, so he's a real
entertainer. It's almost as if he is trying to make up for a lost
puppyhood!
At this point, Sky is just starting on house training, and learning to
walk on a leash without tripping Mom and tangling another dog. He is
also learning, but slowly, that humans who are moving or reaching toward
him are not to be feared.... yet he seems to enjoy lap time and
massages, and doesn't argue about having his nails trimmed or ears
cleaned. When Sky leaves his foster home to visit the wide world, he's
initially very worried, but once he's been in a place for a few minutes,
curiosity overcomes his worries, and he even will tentatively approach
humans who smell of their own dogs, if they are sitting or standing
still.
Sky has not been around children yet, but at this point would be easily
overwhelmed by them. Like many canine teenagers, he can be defensive
about a toy he has picked up, but this is an issue being worked on. He
should do well with another, fairly submissive, dog. He has seen cats
from a distance, but has not joined the foster home dogs in chasing
them along he fenceline... yet. The older dogs are not very interested
in the squirrels, so Sky hasn't gotten excited about them, either....
yet.
He will need intensive socialization to the real world, continuing
housetraining, and at least a basic obedience class with his new people
to assist in teaching him to trust and respect, as well as to master the
necessary manners. He needs lots of high-speed exercise to burn off
energy, and to help put on some muscle mass. He might enjoy some
agility, once he can work off leash in a securely fenced area; he's very
agile in hopping up and climbing on things. A secure, visibly fenced
yard is critical for this boy. In many respects, Sky is much like an
unsocialized, unhousetrained 6 month-old. But he is very bright and can
learn with a gentle but firm approach with lots of praise and rewards.
Sky arrived with an ear infection, which has been treated. The vet
recommended a top quality dry food, with no grain, concerned that the
ear infection might be related to a grain allergy (probably wheat or
corn). He is getting a no grain food at present. It will be helpful in
preventing further possible food allergies to change his food every 3-4
months.
Sky is visiting with Jo Wolf near Atlanta GA. Email: wolfje@webtv.net Phone (cell):
706-814-3947
(Eastern time zone; afternoons except Sundays, or after 9 PM until
midnight all days) |